From a team perspective, nobody felt the pandemic more than the Toronto Raptors in 2020-21.
Forced to relocate to Canada to avoid border restrictions, the Raptors struggled, falling out of the postseason after years of contention.
NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)
For that reason, anticipation was high for the squad to return to the North, but thus far, it hasn't been a happy homecoming as far as the results go.
Beginning with a 15-point loss to the Washington Wizards in the home opener, the Raptors have slumped to a 2-8 record at Scotiabank Arena.
MORE: Eight thoughts as Jaren Jackson Jr. shines in Grizzlies' win over Raptors
The latest loss came to the Memphis Grizzlies, with Pascal Siakam blunt in his assessment of the tough start on the home hardwood.
“We have to fix that," Siakam told reporters postgame. "The fans deserve better than that."
Home sweet home? (Via NBA.com)
| Ortg | Drtg | Net | |
| Home | 106.2 (21st) | 111.3 (29th) | -5.1 (28th) |
| Road | 111.1 (4th) | 108.9 (17th) | +2.3 (10th) |
The numbers paint an ugly picture for the Raptors, with the offence plummeting from 4th to 21st league wide at home, while the defence drops from 17th to a dreadful 29th.
The schedule could be a simple answer for the struggles, with early season home matchups against current playoff teams with losses to Washington, Dallas, Brooklyn and Memphis.
The bad news?
The next eight game stretch includes home matchups against Milwaukee, Washington, Chicago and Golden State, with each squad near the pointy end of their respective conferences.
Of course, the personnel has changed, but this is unfamliliar territory for Toronto fans who watch the team rattle off a 58-19 record at home during the first two season of the Nick Nurse era.
The team will be hoping the home cooking returns to it's usual comfort food style sooner rather than later.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.