Toronto Raptors (0-0) vs. Atlanta Hawks: (7:30 PM ET, TSN - 2/3/4/5, TSN 1050)
What you need to know as the Raptors tip-off their 20th season tonight against the Hawks at Air Canada Centre.
Projected Starters
Raptors: Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Terrence Ross, Amir Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas
Hawks: Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, Paul Milsap, Al Horford
Key Injuries
Raptors: None
Hawks: None
See You In The Park After Dark?
Don't forget, fans who can't experience tonight's home opener inside can join the fun at the Ford Fan Zone in Maple Leaf Square. They'll get "We The North" t-shirst just like all fans watching inside and can catch the game on the big screen. Gates open near Gate 5 at 5:30 PM ET!
Three Points Before Facing The Hawks Tonight
What does "success" look like to these Raptors?
After almost six months, last years's run still feels like a bit of a fever dream. A lackluster start from the Raptors triggered a major trade and resulted in a most unexpected turnaround. A franchise-record 48 regular-season wins and an unbelievably hard-fought seven-game first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets was the result.
The ride led to gains for the Raptors in terms of belief, experience and fan support. What they've lost however, is the ability to sneak up on anyone.
The Raptors are now "the hunted" and according to head coach Dwane Casey below, an Eastern Conference where the talent distribution is spread a little more widely this season won't make success any easier to come by in 2014-15:
The Value Of Continuity
Tonight's opener sees the Raptors face the only other Eastern Conference playoff team from last season returning all five of its starters in the Hawks, but both teams are also going to be working significant pieces back into their respective lineups.
For the Raptors, it's about integrating one of the Hawks' few significant departees. Lou Williams was dealt to Toronto along with Lucas Nogueira for Johns Salmons back in July and could be poised for a bounce back season. James Johnson, who played 87 games for the Raptors between the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, has also returned and is likely the only other "new" addition that will dent the Raptors' rotation. More from the defensive-minded forward below about how he expects his latest stint with the Raptors to be different:
The Hawks meanwhile, owners of the longest active postseason streak in the Eastern Conference, are ready to make the rather substantial additional of a two-time All-Star centre in Al Horford. The 28-year-old played in just 29 games last season for the Hawks as a result of a right pectoral muscle injury and subsequent surgery.
Can Ross Remain Boss At The Three?
For a team that hasn't changed much the Raptors are going to need to see internal growth from its young rotation players. That includes a somehow 25-year-old DeMar DeRozan, but strides from Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas are going to be crucial.
This season for Ross, in particular, should be particularly fascinating. His jaw-dropping athleticism has provided some of this franchise's all-time great slams already (not a minor claim) but his range also propelled him to a share of the single-game franchise record for points with 51 against the Clippers on January 25th.
But if Ross can continue to grow into the position, he'll provide the Raptors with something they haven't had at the small forward position in quite some time. From the astounding stat division of Raptors Media Relations: Ross will represent the 10th different player to start at small forward for the Raptors since 2005 (Joey Graham, Morris Peterson, Jason Kapono, Jamario Moon, Hedo Turkoglu, Linas Kleiza, Rasual Butler, Landry Fields and Rudy Gay).