Toronto Raptors: 10 key dates on the 2017-18 schedule

After a summer of debating where the Toronto Raptors will finish in the Eastern Conference, here is a preview of 10 noteworthy games for the 2017-18 season.

The Toronto Raptors are set to tip-off their season at the Air Canada Centre on Thursday night, against the Chicago Bulls. Although the Raptors finished third in the East last season, it was the first time in three years the club had less wins than the previous campaign.

After a summer of debating where this Toronto Raptors team will land in the unpredictable Eastern Conference, here is a preview of 10 noteworthy games for the Raptors in the 2017-18 season:

1) HOME OPENER AGAINST THE CHICAGO BULLS – Thursday, Oct. 19

The Raptors will host the rebuilding Bulls to kick start the season. Chicago has dominated Toronto over the last three season winning 10 of their 11 matches.

However, with no Jimmy Butler or Dwyane Wade, the Bulls are a different team than they’ve been in the recent past. Toronto made easy work of Chicago in their final preseason game.

2) EARLY TRIP OUT WEST TO GOLDEN STATE – Wednesday, Oct. 25

The Raptors, like most of the League, have been dominated by the Golden State Warriors the last few seasons. The last time Toronto beat the defending champs was in the 2013-14 campaign, the first time Steph Curry was an All-Star.