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Raptors after 20 games: a look forward, a look back

By Brian Boake

TORONTO, ON- APRIL 18: The flag guys sprints around the logo as the Toronto Raptors win the second game of their first round series against the Indiana Pacers 98-87 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. April 18, 2016. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- APRIL 18: The flag guys sprints around the logo as the Toronto Raptors win the second game of their first round series against the Indiana Pacers 98-87 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. April 18, 2016. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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As promised, here’s a look at the Toronto Raptors after another 10-game chunk of their season.  We’ll pay particular attention to the next 10 matches.

I had suggested a likely record of 11-9 after 20 games, so having our team actually at 13-7 is a “happy-to-be-wrong” moment.

The highlight has to be defeating Houston, the Rockets’ only November loss at home (or away, for that matter – the Rox were 12-1 for the month). The worst moments occurred during that nightmarish Q3 in New York, when the Knicks put up 28 straight points. I’ll never forget that run, though I’d like to. Then Toronto had another Q3 flop the next night in Indiana.

Those hot messes aside, the Raptors have yet to lose more than two straight games. We all breathed a sigh of relief when they pummeled a hapless Hawks team to end the road trip.

Who’s up next?

Toronto has six of its next ten games on the road. Oddly enough, this is the third consecutive 10-game tranche with a 4-6 breakdown of home and away games. Get those roadies out of the way early, says I.

Anyway, the upcoming opponents look much less fierce than the last bunch. After a pair of winnable (Indiana and Phoenix) homies, the Raptors head west. All four of their hosts are struggling. Memphis is in turmoil after cashiering their coach. Sacramento, a team our guys have always had trouble with, is supposed to be rebuilding. At some point the Kings’ recent picks need to show signs of improvement. The Clippers started well, but have been racked with injuries to front-line personnel. Not surprisingly, they have come back to the pack, and then some.  This game is the second night of a back to back for the Raptors, so won’t be easy. Finally, there’s a return date with the Suns, who both score and allow a lot of points.

TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 29: Michael Carter-Williams
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 29: Michael Carter-Williams /

The Raptors return home to face the completely unpredictable Brooklyn Nets, then the Kings again. Finally, Toronto is back on the road for visits to Charlotte and Philadelphia. I thought Charlotte shot the ball with authority on Wednesday, which helped them mount a Q3 (when else?) comeback. Thankfully Kyle Lowry was in a refuse to lose mindset, and our guys took over in Q4.

Philly boasts a young and gifted group. While I’m not on the Ben Simmons bandwagon yet (the kid can’t shoot), they have lots of other troublesome folks, like Joel Embiid, Robert Covington, and J.J. Redick.

Prediction

Despite all my caveats, and the six road games, this is a stretch of 10 games in which the Raptors should dominate. As of December 1, only two of our opponents have winning records (Pacers & 76ers), with the Western squads particularly weak.

Still, let’s not be greedy….oh yes, let’s. If the Raptors don’t go 8-2, I’ll be disappointed. That means we’ll be 21-9 after 30 games, a record even a grouch like me wouldn’t complain about.

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