Houston Rockets: Top 5 games to watch in 2018-19

5. March 5 at Toronto Raptors

Although the majority of basketball fans will have their eyes glued on another hoops event in March, those who follow the association should be in for a treat during the early part of the month, as the Rockets will travel north of the border to take on the Toronto Raptors.

Toronto finished last season atop of the Eastern Conference standings with a 59-23 record, en route to having its way against Houston in the process.

The Raptors — who were one of only seven teams to defeat the Rockets at home — swept the Rockets in their head-to-head series a year ago, as the franchise that boasted a top-five offense and defense last season now features superstar forward Kawhi Leonard.

A two-time All-Star who was recently acquired by Toronto in a blockbuster trade with the San Antonio Spurs, the 2014 NBA Finals MVP will now seek to serve as a formidable force in the frontcourt alongside Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas under new head coach Nick Nurse.

While most spectators might just look at this as another inter-conference showdown, the final contest between the Rockets and Raptors next season could possibly make for a potential 2019 NBA Finals preview, depending upon how things shake out.

The two teams will only play one another twice, and with this matchup being featured on TNT, we could likely see a performance for the ages between James Harden and Leonard in The Six.