The Toronto Raptors are now 2-0 this season after dispatching the Boston Celtics Friday night, 113-103. They’ve looked fantastic so far, and while neither win has been perfect, the team has shown resiliency, chemistry and a renewed hunger that wasn’t there the second half of last season.
Indeed, this team looks like they can really make a splash in the East, perhaps larger than originally thought. Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that they have only played two games so far – against inferior East opponents.
The real challenge is still to come. In fact, the first is just on the horizon. After Toronto gets Milwaukee at home on Sunday, their schedule looks like this:
- @ Dallas
- @ Oklahoma City
- @ Orlando
- @ Miami
Then they finally return home for a game to play the Knicks. That schedule may not seem so tough at first glance, but it requires a second look.
The Dallas Mavericks, while certainly not part of the West’s elite, are still a veteran squad who will be looking to grab any win possible. If the Raptors are caught sleeping, they’ll pounce. Dirk Nowitzki isn’t about heading to the lottery at this point in his career.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, well, they’re self-elucidatory.
The Orlando Magic went toe-to-toe with that same Thunder team Friday night in an all-out basketball brawl, with the game going to a second overtime. This team is good; it’s time to stop treating them like a doormat. They’ve got loads of young talent, and it’s just putting it together that needs to happen for this squad. New Orlando coach Scott Skiles could very well lead them to their best season yet.
And then you have the Miami Heat. Everyone knows that they’re out for blood this season and Toronto needs to keep that in mind. They weren’t too pleased about missing the playoffs last year and they’re healthy once again with Chris Bosh back at the helm.
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Dwyane Wade also has a nasty habit of torching the Raps, and in his building he’ll feel even more comfortable.
That’s the real concern here–all of these games are away from home. The Raptors will be taken out of their own comfort zone very early this season. They’re going to be tested on the road during a time when every team in the league thinks they have a shot at the title.
The response of the Raptors to these games will be a great indicator of how things will go this season. Such a trip should bring this revamped roster closer together, and help them cement their identity as a defense-first team that needs to move the ball on offense to be successful.
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Trips like this early in the season can make or break teams. Hopefully for Toronto, it will be the former. Luckily for them, though, even if it is the latter, the East allows time for error. A club can start off a season poorly and still manage to make the playoffs if they right themselves by December.
Just look at the Cleveland Cavaliers last season!
So while it might not seem like that important (or long) of a trip, keep your eyes open. It will tell us something.