Toronto Raptors: 3 thoughts on the 2018-19 NBA schedule

2. Back-to-backs and potential roadblocks

The potential to suffer losses based on poor scheduling alone always exists in the NBA, even if the problem is getting better.

Twelve times this season, Toronto will have to play games on consecutive days. Eleven times this season, they will play three games in four nights. We’re not going to cite every instance of those events here. We’re just going to look at the ones that could cause the Raptors the most trouble.

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The first one comes in October, when the Raptors play in Boston and at home against Washington in consecutive nights. Playing two playoff teams (and the Raptors’ biggest foe in the Eastern Conference) with a flight in the middle could be problematic.

In November, there’s a road back-to-back in Los Angeles (Lakers) and Utah. In December, there’s a road back-to-back in Los Angeles (Clippers) and Golden State.

Beyond that, many of the back-to-backs don’t appear that scary for the Raptors. There are some that involve tricky flights to and from the mainland, but those include winnable games, such as those against Phoenix and Sacramento.

Toronto has its most stretches of three games in four nights in November and January, with each of those months having three such instances.

Talent can overcome many obstacles in the NBA. Games bunched close together is not one of those obstacles. Expect coach Nick Nurse to use them as opportunities to rest stars Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard.