Last season was a step back for the Raptors.
Following an impressive 2021-22 campaign that saw them smash preseason expectations to earn the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors failed to make the playoffs in 2022-23. While it qualified for the Play-In Tournament, Toronto's season came to an end with a first-round loss to DeMar DeRozan's Bulls.
The Raptors will enter this season with a new look. Gone is Nick Nurse, who led the franchise to its first-ever championship and has been replaced by first-time head coach Darko Rajakovic. The Raptors will also be without starting point guard Fred VanVleet, who is now a member of the Rockets.
What are reasonable expectations for the Raptors? Here's everything you need to know about what the 2023-24 season has in store for them and a record prediction.
MORE: Why Raptors should and shouldn't trade for 76ers star James Harden
Raptors 2023-24 schedule
Longest homestand
The Raptors will play five straight games at home in February, their longest homestand of the season.
The homestand will begin on Feb. 9 against the Rockets and end on Feb. 22 against the Nets.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Feb. 9 | vs. Rockets | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 10 | vs. Cavaliers | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 12 | vs. Spurs | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 14 | vs. Pacers | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 22 | vs. Nets | 7:00 p.m. |
Longest road trip
The Raptors will have two six-game road trips in the 2023-24 season.
Between Jan. 3 and Jan. 12, the Raptors will face the Grizzlies, Kings, Warriors, Lakers, Clippers and Jazz in a Western Conference road trip.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Jan. 3 | at Grizzlies | 8:00 p.m. |
| Jan. 5 | at Kings | 10:00 p.m. |
| Jan. 7 | at Warriors | 8:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 9 | at Lakers | 10:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 10 | at Clippers | 10:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 12 | at Jazz | 9:30 p.m. |
The Raptors will then face the Hawks, Bulls, Rockets, Thunder, Pelicans and Hornets between Jan. 28 and Feb. 7.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Jan. 28 | at Hawks | 6:00 p.m. |
| Jan. 30 | at Bulls | 8:00 p.m. |
| Feb. 2 | at Rockets | 8:00 p.m. |
| Feb. 4 | at Thunder | 7:00 p.m. |
| Feb. 5 | at Pelicans | 8:00 p.m. |
| Feb. 7 | at Hornets | 7:00 p.m. |
Back-to-backs
The Raptors will have 14 back-to-backs this season, which is two more than last season and second-most in the league. A group of teams that includes the Warriors and Lakers will play a total of 15 back-to-backs.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Oct. 28 | vs. 76ers | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 2 | at 76ers | 7:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 22 | at Pacers | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 29 | vs. Suns | 7:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 23 | vs. Jazz | 7:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 30 | at Pistons | 6:00 p.m. |
| Jan. 10 | at Clippers | 10:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 18 | vs. Bulls | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 5 | at Pelicans | 8:00 p.m. |
| Feb. 10 | vs. Cavaliers | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 23 | at Hawks | 7:30 p.m. |
| March 23 | at Wizards | 8:00 p.m. |
| April 3 | at Timberwolves | 8:00 p.m. |
| April 10 | at Nets | 7:30 p.m. |
National TV games
In the United States, the Raptors will have one game on TNT and three on NBA TV. The rest of their games will be available to stream on League Pass.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | Channel |
| Nov. 2 | at 76ers | 7:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Dec. 27 | at Wizards | 7:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Jan. 18 | vs. Bulls | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Feb. 26 | at Pacers | 7:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
Best Raptors games in 2023-24 season
76ers at Raptors
Date: Oct. 28, 2023
A return to Toronto for Nurse, who led the Raptors to their first championship and trails only Dwane Casey for most wins by a head coach in franchise history. His final season with the Raptors didn't end on the best note, but there's no doubt he'll receive a warm welcome in his first game against his former team.
Bulls at Raptors
Date: Nov. 24, 2023
The Raptors will likely have their first matchup against the Bulls circled on their calendar. Facing former Raptor star DeMar DeRozan will always be a draw, but Toronto will be looking for some revenge after being upset by Chicago in last season's Play-In Tournament.
The Bulls didn't make any big changes in the offseason, so it wouldn't be a big surprise if they're once again competing with the Raptors for a spot in the playoffs.
Raptors at Cavaliers
Date: Nov. 26, 2023
Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley will probably be linked for the rest of their careers after finishing first and second, respectively, in Rookie of the Year voting.
Barnes didn't have the sophomore season many expected while Mobley established himself as one of the best defenders in the NBA, earning an All-Defensive First Team selection and finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Watching them go head-to-head will be a good measuring stick for them both.
Raptors at Heat
Date: Jan. 17, 2024
You can't forget about the G.R.O.A.T. He might not be the All-Star he once was, but Kyle Lowry is still an important piece for the Heat, who are coming off of a run to the Finals. Lowry has only played in Toronto twice since joining the Heat.
Clippers at Raptors
Date: Jan. 26, 2024
Similar to DeRozan and Lowry, any matchup between Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors will always be worth tuning into.
Leonard's time with the Raptors was short but sweet. His lone season in Toronto saw him win his second championship and the franchise's first. He was also awarded Finals MVP for the second time in his career.
Let's just hope that Leonard will suit up in the one trip the Clippers make to Toronto this season.
Rockets at Raptors
Date: Feb. 9, 2024
Now that he's in the Western Conference, VanVleet will face the Raptors only twice this season — once in Houston and once in Toronto. He left an indelible mark on the Raptors, going from being undrafted to a one-time All-Star who played a key role in the franchise's championship run. Scotiabank Arena will be electric for his return.
Raptors 2023-24 record prediction
The Raptors finished the 2022-23 season with a 41-41 record. They lost VanVleet to the Rockets in free agency, but the rest of the core remains the same. Having Jakob Poeltl around for a full season should help them remain competitive even without VanVleet, as should the additions of Gradey Dick, Jalen McDaniels and Dennis Schroder, which will improve Toronto's depth.
FanDuel currently has Toronto's over/under for the 2023-24 season at 36.5. That feels a tad low to me. While a lot of their success hinges on how Rajakovic adjusts to his first head coaching gig in the NBA, the Raptors should have enough talent to remain around the .500 mark.
The one caveat, of course, is if Pascal Siakam is moved. Trading him would probably be the start of a rebuild for the Raptors, which could send them tumbling down the Eastern Conference standings.
Prediction: 40-42.
