We’re considering the Raptors after every 10 games. This past batch was spectacular, a 9-1 romp over bad teams. Things get tougher between 31 & 40.
In my third examination of the Raptors’ last and future 10 games, I stand in awe of what we’ve seen. I’ve been happily wrong by underestimating the team’s depth, and their ability to shake off adversity. The comeback from a huge deficit in Philadelphia was the apotheosis of Toronto’s skills.
The team lost one game, that to the Los Angeles Clippers. Five of the wins were on the road, which has pushed the team to an 11-7 count away from Toronto. Meanwhile, an 11-1 mark at the Air Canada Centre remains the league’s best home record.
Eventually the Raptors’ road-heavy schedule will rebalance, but not in the next 10-game tranche, which splits 5-5. After giving the 76ers a chance to extract revenge on Saturday night, the team hops on its specially designed charter jet (think really long seats) for a trip well south. The Raptors face the Dallas Mavericks on Boxing Day, then the Oklahoma City Thunder the following night. Thankfully, this back-to-back, like the Charlotte-Philly one just completed, has the cities close to each other.
Too many games in a short period
Back to Toronto they hasten, for their third game in four nights. The opponent is the Atlanta Hawks, after which the Milwaukee Bucks visit on New Year’s Day. Our team is off again, to Chicago, Milwaukee and Brooklyn. Sleep well on the plane, guys, because the Miami Heat will already be in Toronto. Finally, King James and his Cleveland Court-sters visit for what promises to be a showdown.
The Raptors were expected to, and did, run roughshod over weak opponents in Games 20 through 30. Don’t expect such exhilarating results again. A pair of back-to-backs is bad enough, and the second is away-and-home. Our team doesn’t face any G League squads like Sacramento. Even the Bulls, which at one point were a pitiful 3-20, just ran off a 7-game win streak. In a close finish, the Cavaliers ended the fun. Regardless, a Chicago match-up is no longer Guaranteed Win Night.
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Our guys will do very well to go 6-4. If Joel Embiid skips Saturday’s game (I’d hate to be Philly’s coach – how can he game-plan when he doesn’t know if his center is going to dress?), the Raptors should win. They can handle the Mavericks, while the OKC game is a jump ball. Atlanta has offered no resistance so far. Things get nasty; Milwaukee is always a threat, and a split would be OK. The Bulls and Nets in their buildings will be tough. Defending home court against Miami and Cleveland is a formidable task.
There you have it – we just had a 9-1 stretch, which won’t be replicated. After 40 games, the Raptors will be 28-12 and hanging around the top of the Eastern Conference.