With the loss of their superstar, the NBA Champion Toronto Raptors begin the season with a chip on their shoulders. Always a tough matchup how with the OKC Thunder matchup vs them in 2019-20?
Never before in the history of the NBA has a team won the title and the Finals MVP left that squad that very summer. Yet, that’s precisely what happened to the Raptors as Kawhi Leonard held NBA teams and fans hostage while he made calls to other superstars trying to get them to join him in LA. OKC Thunder fans know this better than most given the move by Leonard to sign with the Clippers only happened after Paul George also requested (demanded?) a trade to join him.
That one move gutted the OKC Thunder who were thrown into an automatic shift in direction. It’s also worked to change the narrative about the Raptors who enter the season, not as the team expected to win the East but some pundits are even suggesting they won’t make the playoffs.
Fools gold – don’t buy that narrative. This squad still boasts a number of talents and while they might not be the prohibitive favorites in the East each of the other four home court squads also experienced losses.
The Basics:
2018-19 Record: 58-24
Playoff Seed: Second seed entering playoffs. Defeated Magic (4-1) in round one, 76ers (4-3) in round two, Bucks (4-2) in Eastern Conference Finals and won the NBA Title vs. Warriors (4-2).
Head Coach: Nick Nurse begins his second season as the bench boss.
Points per game: ranked 8th (114.4 ) | Opponent points per game: ranked 9th (108.4)
Pace: ranked 15th (100.2) | Offensive Rating: ranked 5th (113.1) | Defensive Rating: ranked 5th (107.1)
Vegas Odds:
Win-Loss: 46.5 games
Odds to NBA Title: +3503
Odds to Win Conference: +1169
* Odds courtesy of The Action Network.
The OKC Thunder split the regular-season series against the Raptors. Next up, let’s look at the offseason changes made by the NBA Champions and review what to expect when the team’s tipoff versus each other in their two contests.