Raptors 2016-17 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

The Toronto Raptors were just two wins away from making their first NBA Finals, falling in six games to the eventual champion Cleveland Cavaliers. 

It was the third straight season that they recorded 48 or more wins and made the postseason. But last season's venture into the Eastern Conference Finals was the first time a Raptors team ever made it that far in the playoffs.

The Raptors will be looking to build off that success in 2016-17, as they now know what their schedule looks like with the league's release on Thursday. 

2016-17 Details

Season Opener: Wednesday, Oct. 26 vs. Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m. ET

Championship Odds: 40-1 (via Odds Shark)

Full Schedule: NBA.com

Top Matchups

Cleveland Cavaliers

First Away Matchup: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m. ET

Toronto's 56 wins were second to the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors managed to beat LeBron James and Co. twice in three games, both at home, during the regular season.

Things changed in the postseason, where the Cavaliers had home-court advantage and pounded the Raptors. While Toronto did force six games thanks to two home wins, it was beaten by an average margin of 28.5 points, and James was unstoppable:

However, Toronto's play gained the respect of James, who spoke with the media after the clinching Game 6 win, via Matthew Florjancic of WKYC.com:

"

To go to a place they've never been before, to get to the Eastern Conference Finals, and to win two games on their home floor as well, in front of their fans throughout this Conference Finals, it just showed their appreciation. They were unbelievable all season long to this point, and they definitely showed that toward the end of the game, all the way throughout.

"

While the Raptors continue trying to build their resume toward that of a title contender, going into Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland and coming out with a win would be enormous for their psyche, even if it is just a regular-season win. 

Boston Celtics

First Matchup: Friday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. ET

There's little disputing that the Cavaliers are considered the team to beat in the East once again. But after that, the Raptors' title of second-best could be under some serious pressure with the emergence of the division-rival Boston Celtics. 

A team that won just 28 games in 2013-14, the Celtics won 48 games last season behind the All-Star play of point guard Isaiah Thomas. 

They're poised to get even better after acquiring All-Star big man Al Horford during free agency. With the loss of Bismack Biyombo in July, the Raptors will be without one of their best defenders down low, which could pose a problem when Horford and the Celtics come calling. 

Toronto taking three of four games from the team last season hasn't done anything to deter Boston's confidence, either, especially from forward Jae Crowder, who spoke with MassLive.com's Tom Westerholm:

"

My guys were telling me that Bleacher Report says we'll win 59 games. That's a lot of wins, but I want to get past the first round of the playoffs. Two seasons in a row getting swept [the Celtics actually lost to the Atlanta Hawks in six games this season]. That's my goal to be honest with you. I think our ceiling is the Eastern Conference Finals. Toronto is not a team we're worried about. I think Cleveland is the top team. That's what it comes down to.

"

Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll took offense to that, telling Dave Zarum of Sportsnet that "it’s a comment from a person who hasn’t been in a playoff situation. When you haven’t been on that level you don’t understand what it takes. Myself, going to back-to-back conference finals, I know what it takes. I think it’s a comment from a guy who hasn’t played at that level, sounds like a young [guy] comment."

It just so happens that those two men will match up against each other on the floor at the 3, so their offseason comments could add a bit more fuel to a rivalry that is set to heat up in the Atlantic Division. 

Record Prediction

Despite losing Biyombo to the Orlando Magic, free agency was kind to the Raptors. There could have been much less optimism surrounding the 2016-17 season had shooting guard and leading scorer DeMar DeRozan signed elsewhere. 

In May, initial reports by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, via Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation, stated that DeRozan wanted to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Instead, he stayed with the team that drafted him, signing a five-year, $139 million deal with Toronto, per Spotrac.

It would have been difficult to try to replace a player who put up a career-high 23.5 points per game last year, and it could have been a huge blow to Toronto's postseason hopes. 

The Raptors would have resorted to relying on Kyle Lowry, who put up 21 points per game, but without much help, he would have been an easy target for defenses to key on. No other player on the Raptors roster put up more than 12.8 points per game.

Retaining DeRozan ensures Toronto has a two-headed offensive attack that should be one of the best scoring duos in the league. 

That alone is going to win the Raptors plenty of games next season, and they should be on the cusp of title contention once again. 

Record Prediction: 55-27