1. The King of the East Cleveland Cavaliers, JANUARY 11TH.
This team seems to be the hot topic of the offseason so far after news broke out that Kyrie Irving requested a trade. With Kyrie Irving possibly being out of the picture, Cleveland’s spot in the NBA Finals is questioned. Kyrie’s landing spots could turn them into serious contenders like the Timberwolves or the Spurs. But if the Cavaliers to choose to keep him, they would lose him for nothing when his contract is up in 2020. Also, the team would take a huge hit chemistry wise with a player that expressed his desire to depart the debateably second-best team in the NBA. But this may also be LeBron James’ final year on the Cavs, based on the rumors going around. Can the Raptors finally make a push past the Cavs?
DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry have almost given up trying to defeat LeBron, DeRozan making multiple statements saying “I’ll give $100 to anybody who can stop LeBron” and “If LeBron was on our team, we’d win too.”. This isn’t what you would like to hear from your team leader and doesn’t give a clear idea of how they plan to improve and defeat LeBron in the playoffs. But with the Cavs crippled right now, and their future in turmoil, this is Lowry and DeRozan’s time to show up in the playoffs and dethrone the King.
The Cavs have made a steal one year deal with Derrick Rose who will serve as a great back-up for Kyrie Irving, or starter if Irving is ever traded. The Raptors also don’t have much of a clear defensive stopper who can slow down LeBron, but the Raptors have to take advantage of this situation. This game will show us a glimpse of what the Raptors can do against a dysfunctional Finals contending team.
There are some other key games that Raptors fans should look out for in the 82-game stretch, such as Raptors fans nightmare Jimmy Butler on the Timberwolves, Kyle Lowry’s former trade destination rumor in Philidelphia 76ers and much more. These were just 7 must-watch games you have to see this season. This season should be an exciting one for Toronto and NBA fans.
More from Raptors Rapture
- Scottie Barnes talks Raptors expectations after bumpy 2022-23
- Raptors’ Dennis Schroder completes Cinderella story, wins FIBA World Cup with Germany
- 3 players Raptors could replace OG Anunoby with at trade deadline
- NBA insider praises Raptors’ hiring of “star” Darko Rajakovic
- Raptors fans will love Markquis Nowell’s insane confidence on Instagram