Toronto Raptors: 5 can’t-miss games from 2020-21 first-half schedule

2. Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors – Jan. 4, 2021

If we actually make it to 2021, we’ll be treated to a playoff rematch right out of the gate. The Boston Celtics ended the Raptors’ season last year, and, to quote Drake, Toronto will be “looking for revenge” down in Tampa.

If you remove your partisanship from the equation, the Raptors’ series against the Celtics was one of the greatest playoff bouts in franchise history. From Fred VanVleet’s family reunion to the on-court battles between Marcus Smart and, well, everyone else, the seven-gamer played out like a soap opera. Also, this happened.

While the Celtics return almost everyone of significance from the team that bowed out to the Miami Heat in the conference finals (Gordon Hayward only played in five of the team’s 17 playoff games in the bubble), the Raptors will be missing one of the key reasons why the series was competitive in the first place.

Serge Ibaka played a critical role on both ends of the floor against Boston. He has now reunited with Kawhi Leonard in Los Angeles. In his stead are Aron Baynes and Alex Len.

The role of the big was crucial against Boston last year. On Jan. 4, we’ll find out if Toronto has found its size solution.