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Raptors: 3 must-watch games to look forward to this season

By Pirasanth Gunasekaram

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 31: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks at Scotiabank Arena on October 31, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 31: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks at Scotiabank Arena on October 31, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images /
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The 2023–24 NBA regular season will start for the Toronto Raptors on October 25 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Toronto will be looking to have a productive season despite losing Fred VanVleet to the Houston Rockets and letting go of Nick Nurse.

Last season, Toronto had an up-and-down year, finishing tenth in the Eastern Conference and getting eliminated from the play-in tournament by the Chicago Bulls in a particularly embarrassing way.

These three games not only show that Toronto is a better team, but they can also win despite losing VanVleet and Nurse in the offseason. With so much riding on Toronto’s success this season, this trio of contests will determine precisely how high the ceiling is for this team.

3 must-watch Toronto Raptors games in the 2023 season

Toronto Raptors vs. Atlanta Hawks

Pascal Siakam was mentioned in trade rumors this summer, and the Atlanta Hawks were the team that wanted him the most. No trade between the two teams has happened yet, and Siakam appears to be off the market for the time being.

The first meeting between the Raptors and the Hawks will take place on December 13 in Toronto. If there is a trade that sends Siakam to Atlanta, then this becomes Siakam’s first game back in Toronto as a member of the Hawks.

If Siakam doesn’t get traded, this becomes a game where Siakam will try to show out and prove why the Raptors made the right choice by not trading him. He can also demonstrate why the Hawks should’ve tried to get the trade done.

Will the Toronto Raptors beat the Atlanta Hawks?

This game will also give a chance for Hawks players like A.J. Griffin and DeAndre Hunter, rumored to be the players in return for Siakam, to flex their muscles in front of a team that didn’t think they warranted a trade acquisition.

Another reason for Raptors fans to watch this at the Scotiabank Arena is to watch Trae Young in Toronto this season. Young has his faults, but his high-octane style against Toronto’s defense could make for quite a fun match.