NBA Schedule: Toronto Raptors Seeking Revenge On Cleveland Cavaliers
It is Friday night, and the NBA has a whole platter of games for basketball fans. One of the featured games will see the Toronto Raptors getting their rematch against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as reported by NBA.com.
#FlashbackFriday to our last #CavsRaptors game in The Six… https://t.co/WYasF3ZEip
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 28, 2016
Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last season, the Toronto Raptors were only a couple of games away from getting to play in the NBA Finals. Standing in their way were the Cleveland Cavaliers. While a win against the Cavaliers on Friday night is not going to change history, it is a sure bet that the Raptors are more fired up than normal for a victory. Toronto is bringing back the majority of their core from last season, minus Bismack Biyombo and Luis Scola, who left in free agency for the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets respectively. It will be an interesting test for Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan to see if they can keep up with Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Kevin Love.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have a new look, thanks to two new starters. One of those new faces is a familiar one for the Brooklyn Nets. Thaddeus Young goes up against his old team tonight. The Nets are going to struggle to get victories this season, and tonight is not going to be any easier because the Pacers are one of the best teams in the NBA. Indiana center Myles Turner wants to prove to the league that he is one of the best centers around, so his matchup against Brook Lopez should be an interesting one. Brooklyn also does not have an answer for the rejuvenated Paul George.
Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons
Stan Van Gundy will probably never admit it, but he likes beating up on his old team, the Orlando Magic. His frontcourt is going to have to step it up a little because the Magic acquired Jeff Green, Serge Ibaka, and Bismack Biyombo over the summer. Van Gundy is probably going to need a monster game from All-Star center Andre Drummond if the Pistons want to beat Orlando.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns
With Kevin Durant walking away in free agency and joining the Golden State Warriors, many believe that Russell Westbrook will be putting up numbers that will make him a strong contender for the NBA MVP award. He will have a chance to do that against the Phoenix Suns in what is expected to be quite the shootout. The Suns are loaded in the backcourt with Brandon Knight, Eric Bledsoe, and Devin Booker. The Oklahoma City Thunder will need to use their size in the frontcourt to gain an advantage over Phoenix.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat
Two intriguing matchups make the game between the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat more interesting than normal. Hassan Whiteside is now signed to a gigantic contract, and he wants to prove to the NBA that he deserves it. Roy Hibbert is trying to redeem himself with the Hornets. Both guys are motivated, so a nice battle should ensue tonight. At small forward, Justise Winslow will face a tough challenge from Michael Kidd Gilchrist, who missed much of last season with an injury.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets
Both the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets added a couple of new faces over the summer. They are both also looking for their first victory of the season. James Harden, now utilized as a point guard, has Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, and Nene as teammates. Dirk Nowitzki has been joined by Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut, both of whom won an NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors.
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Without Gordon Hayward around, the Utah Jazz are going to lean even more on their new trio of veterans. George Hill, Joe Johnson, and Boris Diaw will need to provide production and leadership to keep the team afloat until Hayward returns from his finger injury. The veterans will need to use their experience to combat the young and talented Los Angeles Lakers roster that just recently pulled off the upset over James Harden and the Houston Rockets.
Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans
In Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors have four of the best players in the NBA. The New Orleans Pelicans, on the other hand, have Anthony Davis. The former Kentucky Wildcats star learned in the opening game of the regular season that putting up monster numbers is not going to be enough to carry the Pelicans to a successful season. It should be interesting to see what type of effort Davis will put up against the Warriors tonight.
[Featured Image by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images]
