Toronto Raptors game previews between November 28 and December 4, including games against: Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers.

Inhale… and... exhale.

The gruesome early season schedule portion is over, and the Raptors have a fresh week of home games ahead of them, following some much-needed rest this weekend.

For those who can’t quite remember, here is how their past couple weeks have gone;

• Nov. 15th @ Cleveland (117-121 Loss)
• Nov 16th vs. Golden State (121-127 Loss)
• Nov 18th @ Denver (113-111 OT Win)
• Nov 20th @ Sacramento (99-102 Loss)
• Nov 21st @ LA Clippers (115-123 Loss)
• Nov 23rd @ Houston (115-102 Win)
• Nov 25th @ Milwaukee (105-99 Win)

All things considered, this stretch of games went about as well as you could expect. Apart from the bizarre loss in Sacramento, everything went about as expected. Now, with some rest and recuperation under their belt, a stretch of home games incoming, look for the Raptors to hit their stride this week, and solidify themselves in the upper echelon of the eastern conference.

Philadelphia 76ers

Monday, 28 November 2016 at 07:30 PM ET Home

It’s taken over a full month, but the Raptors and the ‘Sixers will be meeting for the first time this year. Last year, the series went about as expected, with the Raptors claiming the sweep without any close games. Despite Philly being noticeably stronger than last year, I still think that this will be a Monday night blowout.

From a fan’s perspective, I’m really excited to watch this game. I’m yet to watch the 76ers this year, and despite being on a minutes restriction, I’m excited to watch Embiid and JV battle it out down low. I also haven’t seen Saric play yet, or a sophomore-Okafor.

All in all, I think this will be an entertaining game. The Raptors should be able to handle this one quite easily, and if the score allows, perhaps we will get a look at Vanvleet, Delon Wright, or even Bruno!

Score Prediction

Toronto 121 - 107 Philadelphia

Memphis Grizzlies

Wednesday, 30 November 2016 at 07:30 PM ET Home

Following hosting Philly on Monday night, the Raps will be taking on Memphis at home following a day of rest. In the two games last year, the Raps swept the short series, with a 98-85 and a 99-95 win.

With Memphis, you know what you’re going to get. They’re slow-paced, they’re efficient, they’re very solid defensively, and they’re going to bully you down low. The matchup to watch this game, will without a doubt be Tony Allen and Demar. With DeRozan's offensive prowess and Allen’s relentless defensive intensity, this matchup alone will be worth the price of admission.

When it comes down to it, this game is going to be won by the bench unit, in which I feel the Raptors have a fair advantage. It’s going to be a rather slow-paced game, but if the Raptors bench unit can come in and speed it up, I see the Raptors running away with it down the stretch.

Score Prediction

Toronto 94 - 85 Memphis

Los Angeles Lakers

Friday, 2 December 2016 at 07:30 PM ET Home

76ers on Monday, day off. Grizzlies on Wednesday, day off. Then the Lakers on Friday. This is going to be a great Friday night matchup, and praise the Lord above, we finally will face the Lakers without Kobe. Thank. God.

Although I generally don’t like the idea of having a “team” in the other conference, if I had to, the Lakers would have to be my squad. I love watching them play, and it still makes me shake my head when I think how Ingram is a few months younger than me.

This is going to be a great Friday night showdown. Lou-Will and (my favourite Raptor of all time) Calderon are back in Toronto, and I’m quite intrigued to see how these teams will clash. It’s going to come down to the wire, it’s going to be good, and the Raptors are going to come away with their first win against the Lakers, post-Kobe era.

Score Prediction

Toronto 114 - 110 LA Lakers

Atlanta Hawks

Saturday, 3 December 2016 at 07:30 PM ET Home

The only back-to-back this week will come at the hands of the Lakers and the Hawks. Unlike the tale of the past few weeks, however, I don’t think energy will be an issue. Following what should be a great game on Friday night, I see this game being equally exciting. Howard and Valanciunas is going to be a great matchup, and if we can get Dwight in foul trouble early, it will surely give the Raptors an edge.

The Hawks are the best team that the Raptors will face this week. Their starting lineup of Schroder, Korver, Bazemore, Millsap and Howard meshes very well, and I’m excited to see how they will matchup with the Raptors.

Much like the tale of the past couple games, the Raptors bench will be the deciding factor in determining the winner of this game. The bench unit should be able to get the win for them, but this game is going to heavily revolve around Casey vs. Budenholzer.

I have confidence in the Raps, but this is going to be a tough one. I see the lead going back and forth into the mid-fourth, with Toronto winning it by one possession.

Score Prediction

Toronto 103 - 100 Atlanta