Reunions, Revenge, and Drake: Breaking down the Raptors' Schedule

The NBA's 2015-16 regular season schedule has been set and the Raptors will open at home against the Indiana Pacers on October 28, and then play 11 of their next 14 on the road. For those counting U.S. national television appearances, the Raptors will be on ESPN on January 22 against Miami, TNT on January 28 against New York, and appear on NBA TV eight times.

The Raptors will have two seven-game homestands—one in January and then again in March. Due to the All-Star Game taking place in Toronto, the team will have a season-high six-game road trip in February that is sandwiched by the break.

What about some key games to look forward to? Here are a few:

November 17 at Golden State

The Raptors have a road-heavy schedule to start the season. Following the season opener at the Air Canada Centre against the Pacers, Toronto plays 11 of its next 14 on the road, including a five-game road trip to the West Coast. The Warriors handed the Raptors their most embarrassing loss (playoffs excluded) in February last season, holding them to 1-for-19 shooting in the first quarter in a 113–89 rout. This time around, the Raptors will get to show whether a renewed emphasis on defense holds up against the defending champions.

November 25 vs. Cleveland

Speaking of measuring-stick games, a little over a week after playing the Warriors, the Raptors get another test. The Raptors had one of their signature early-season wins at Quicken Loans Arena last November, overcoming an 18-point deficit on the road for a 110–93 victory. The Cavs were still figuring themselves out early on in the season, while the Raptors were in first place in the East for a bit. By the time the Cavs rolled into Air Canada Centre in early March, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving were on fire, and would finish the season on a 34-9 run on their way to the NBA Finals. In that March game, LeBron scored 15 points in the fourth quarter in a 120–112 victory. The Cavs won their last three matchups against the Raptors after that November loss, and proved that the Toronto was a tier below the best in the East. That figures to be the case again this season, but this will be an early-season test as to where the re-tooled Raptors lineup stands.

December 9 vs. San Antonio

The Spurs, who won't be on a back-to-back, meaning they won't be adhering to Coach Pop's principles of resting starters, will have Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard for this matchup. The Raptors denied Gregg Popovich his 1,000th career win last season when the Spurs came to town, not that he will remember or care. The Spurs are a championship contender again and this will be another great test for the Raps.

November 28 at Washington, December 30 vs. Washington

The Raptors swept the regular season series against the Wizards last season, and then watched as Washington returned the favor in the first round. While defensive slippage was already apparent several months before the playoffs started, the team's putrid performance against the Wizards in the four-game sweep helped trigger the roster turnover that took place afterward. No better place to see whether those changes have made a difference a year later. Of course, the Wizards aren't the exact same looking team…

Sunday January 24th vs. Los Angeles Clippers

… because Paul Pierce is in Los Angeles. For the second straight season, the Raptors won't get to face Pierce in the jersey in which he defeated them in. But he'll get his share of boos, probably throw in a couple jabs to the media before the game, and soak it all in, and probably hit the game winner, too. I've learned at this point to expect Pierce to do something heartbreaking to the Raptors. Don't bring a sign referencing "it" unless it's clever!

Maybe it will just be All-Star Weekend since it is in Toronto and Drake will be the unofficial host of the proceedings, but some potential dates: Monday January 18 versus Brooklyn (start of a homestand, and somehow the Nets are our "rivals") or the home game against the Wizards on the 26th later that month. It would be before the All-Star game, and a bit of prelude for the big event. Why am I even thinking about this? I hope I'm right, though.

February 24 vs. Minnesota

The Wolves, having added Karl-Anthony Towns to an already talented young mix of players, should be an exciting team to watch. But as we saw last season, when Prime Minister Stephen Harper showed up to the ACC (and had a social media mishap, because who doesn't), Andrew Wiggins playing in Toronto is a big deal. Expect the same type of hoopla, and a few local articles about how the countdown to Wiggins coming to the Raptors is getting a year closer. Previous working title for this game: the annual Anthony Bennett is also Canadian! game.

December 7 vs. Los Angeles

Kobe thinks the Lakers have what it takes to make the playoffs this season (doubtful) and isn't sure whether he will retire. But just to be safe, this might be the last time to see the five-time champion and future Hall of Famer in action. For those who remember when the Shaq-Kobe Lakers used to come into town, this used to be one of the hottest tickets each season, part of those "premium" games that always provided a playoff atmosphere on Sunday afternoons, even when the Raptors were countering with Jelani McCoy and Voshon Lenard. Oh, and Lou Williams returns. Speaking of familiar faces…

November 1 vs. Milwaukee

One more shimmy for old time's sakes, Greivis?

January 1 vs. Charlotte

New Years Day with Psycho T.

January 20 vs. Boston

The Raptors will visit Amir Johnson and the Celtics for their first road game of the season October 30. Amir won't make his return to Toronto until late January. You can count on a standing ovation, a tribute and maybe some tears.

March 6 vs. Houston

Welcome back, Chuck Hayes.

March 28 vs. Oklahoma City

This one should draw a bit of attention, given that Kevin Durant will be a name that will get mentioned everywhere he goes this season. The Raptors have been hoping that they'll be in the running for his services when he hits free agency next July. I mean, he did attend OVO Fest with DeMar DeRozan wearing a David Price Jays jersey, so…

Kevin Durant in Toronto with DeMar DeRozan, watching a Drake concert, wearing a David Price Blue Jays jersey. #GoRaps pic.twitter.com/NvHMU1T1kE
— Eric Fawcett (@Efawcett7) August 4, 2015

(I'm convinced someone out there already has a customized Kevin Durant Raptors jersey in the new design ready for this particular game. I'll set the over/under on number of those jerseys at this game at 4.5. Seems low, to be honest.)