Now this is news that gets us excited for the new season.

The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they will tip-off their 14th season on Wednesday, October 29 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wachovia Center. What a way to start, against the team I think will be one of their biggest rivals.

Other highlights

Toronto’s home opener is set for Friday, October 31 against the Golden State Warriors.

The Raptors will play almost half of their road games in the season’s first two months . This can be a real advantage if they can go .500 or better.

The longest road swing is a six-game trip from December 19-29. Booo always at Christmas when I might be in Toronto.

The longest home stand of the season is five games from March 20-29.

Only one appearance by LeBron James and the Cavaliers on Wednesday, February 18.

The Big Three and the defending World Champion Boston Celtics come to town for two Sunday matinees (November 23 and January 11).

Steve Nash and the Suns make their only trip to Canada on Sunday, January 18.

Kobe Bryant and his Lakers appear on Wednesday, February 4.

Chris Paul, Mo Pete and the Hornets visit Sunday, December 14.

Jermaine O’Neal will make his first trip back to Indiana on Friday, January 16 to face his former Pacers buds. Hopefully he is not injured.

The busiest day for the Raptors this season will be Friday with 21 games each on the schedule. I hope they do better than last season on Friday nights.

Sunday features a season-high 16 home games. I love Sunday afternoon games on TV.

On the road, the busiest day is Friday with 10 games. I don’t like the sound of that.

The majority of the home games will fall on the weekend with 11 games on a Friday and 16 on a Sunday.

The Raptors’ busiest months are October/November, December and January with 16 games.

The Raptors will have 17 back-to-back games this season, with a high of seven being a home game followed by a road game.

For the third consecutive season, all 82 Raptors games will be aired nationally in Canada. No Chuck!!

At the present time, the Raptors have two nationally televised games in the United States. They will appear on ESPN on Friday, December 5 from Utah and on ESPN2 on Friday, April 10 versus Washington. That seems weak but what can you do. People want to watch Miami and Cleveland every night.

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