Ranking the top 10 games of the 2018-19 NBA schedule

Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /
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2018-19 NBA schedule
Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images /

9. Feb. 22, 2019 — Toronto Raptors vs. San Antonio Spurs (ESPN)

This is the less interesting homecoming after the Kawhi LeonardDeMar DeRozan trade, but you can expect the Air Canada Centre faithful to pack the house and show their appreciation for the greatest player in Toronto Raptors franchise history.

Trading DeRozan for Kawhi was a no-brainer talent-wise, but the manner of his departure was still unsavory for everyone involved. This is Toronto’s first chance to make amends, most likely in the form of a video tribute and a standing ovation from a crowd ready to thank DDR for everything he did to help reinvigorate Toronto basketball.

DeRozan, of course, will be on a mission to make a statement against his former team, and it may be weird to see him so competitive against his former teammate and NBA BFF Kyle Lowry. Still, with two quality teams squaring off, DeRozan coming home and Kawhi playing his former team for the second time, this is a game that should be circled on all Raptors fans’ calendars.