| Forecasting The November Schedule Authored by Jean-Luc Nicolas - September 11, 2006 - 8:00 pm
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Wed 1 @ New Jersey 7:30pm
Opening night against the Nets on the road will be an early test for the Andrea Bargnani era. The Nets are the early favorites in the Eastern Conference and their lack of depth shouldn’t be a problem in game one.
Loss.
Fri 3 Milwaukee 7:00pm
Once Charlie Villanueva was dealt, you immediately had to circle the game in which he would first return to Toronto; ironically enough, he will be at the Air Canada Centre on opening night for the second consecutive season. If they are able to contain Michael Redd, the Raptors should wear down the Bucks while possibly wearing their new away uniforms?
Win.
Sun 5 San Antonio 1:00pm
Only the nightlife of Toronto could keep the Spurs from winning the Sunday afternoon game. They lost their two games to San Antonio by just 12 points combined and should at least be competitive.
Loss.
Wed 8 Philadelphia 7:00pm
Games against teams like Philadelphia, particularly early ones, will be the barometer of whether or not the Raptors are serious playoff contenders. This is a must win.
Win.
Fri 10 Atlanta 7:00pm
The Hawks should be a lot of people’s surprise choice to make the playoffs, but at home the Raptors should still beat them, if the adjustment to make up for the scoring of Mike James is already complete.
Win.
Sun 12 @ Sacramento 9:00pm
A five-game Western Conference road trip begins at Arco Arena against Ron Artest and the Kings. With Eric Musselman hired as the new head coach, Sacramento will be one of the most sound teams in the NBA.
Loss.
Tue 14 @ Golden State 10:30pm
The Warriors started out hot last season and the team will probably still be listening to Don Nelson this early in the season.
Loss.
Fri 17 @ L.A. Lakers 10:30pm
Kobe Bryant looks to go for 82 against the Raptors. This game will receive a considerable amount of press and the highlights of last season’s massacre will be prevalently shown, but what is lost when people remember this game is that the Raptors outplayed the Lakers in the first half.
Win.
Sat 18 @ Denver 9:00pm
The second game of back-to-backs are always tough, especially on the road, especially in the thin air of Colorado.
Loss.
Mon 20 @ Utah 9:00pm
The young club can finally look forward to coming back home to Toronto and face a Jazz team that will be dangerous, particularly on the frontline, when healthy. The Jazz swept the Raptors last season.
Loss.
Wed 22 Cleveland 7:00pm
LeBron James seems to enjoy playing at the Air Canada Centre and the Cavaliers won all three match-ups last season, though the Raptors lost by just one in March. Morris Peterson scored 31 points in that game.
Loss.
Fri 24 @ Atlanta 7:30pm
Law of averages on this one, as I selected them to win their home November match-up with the Hawks.
Loss.
Sun 26 Indiana 1:00pm
The Pacers are one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference that the Raptors match up well against.
Win.
Tue 28 @ NO/Okla. City 8:00pm
Assuming the new pieces (Peja and Chandler) that the Hornets have brought in gel immediately, they will be tough at home, no matter where they play.
Loss.
Wed 29 @ Dallas
The Raptors lost both games against the Mavericks by just two points, something about the Western Conference Champs must bring out something in Sam Mitchell’s club. They march into December with an upset win and a 6-9 record.
Win. |
