Can Toronto Raptors get back on track in December? Full schedule breakdown

Author Photo
Toronto Raptors

November was a tough month for the Toronto Raptors.

After going 4-3 in October, the Raptors went 5-10 in November, a stretch that included three separate three-game losing streaks. The Raptors were on the road for most of the month, with 10 of their 15 games coming away from Toronto.

The Raptors enter December with a 9-13 record on the season, placing them 12th in the Eastern Conference standings. They rank 13th in offensive efficiency (108.9) and 24th in defensive efficiency (110.0).

The Raptors currently sit 2.5 games out of the Play-In Tournament picture.

Unlike November, the bulk of Toronto's games in December will be played at home.

NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)

DeMar DeRozan (Chicago Bulls vs Toronto Raptors)

What is the Toronto Raptors' schedule in December?

Date Opponent Time (ET) Broadcast (Canada)
Thu, Dec. 2 vs. Milwaukee 7:30 PM TSN
Sun, Dec. 5 vs. Washington 6:00 PM SN One, SNO
Wed, Dec. 8 vs. Oklahoma City 7:30 PM SN One
Fri, Dec. 10 vs. New York 7:30 PM TSN, RDS
Mon, Dec. 13 vs. Sacramento 7:00 PM TSN, RDS2
Tue, Dec. 14 at Brooklyn 7:30 PM SNE, SNO
Thu, Dec. 16 vs. Chicago 7:30 PM SNE, SNO
Sat, Dec. 18 vs. Golden State 7:30 PM TSN
Mon, Dec. 20 vs. Orlando 7:30 PM TSN
Wed, Dec. 22 at Chicago 8:00 PM SN One
Sun, Dec. 26 at Cleveland 6:00 PM SN One, SN National
Tue, Dec. 28 vs. Philadelphia 7:30 PM SN One, SN National
Fri, Dec. 31 vs. LA Clippers 7:30 PM SN One, SNE, SNO, SNP

Home sweet home?

Of the 13 games the Raptors will play in December, 10 will be held at Scotiabank Arena.

That's not necessarily a good thing for the Raptors, who are 7-5 on the road compared to 2-8 at home to start the season.

The Raptors have struggled offensively and defensively in Toronto, ranking in the bottom half of the league in both categories.

How the Raptors are performing at home vs. away (2021-22)
  Games Offensive Rating Defensive Rating Net Rating
Home 10 106.2 (21st) 111.3 (29th) -5.1 (28th)
Away 12 111.1 (4th) 108.9 (18th) +2.3 (10th)

MORE: What's going on with the Raptors' defence?

Toughest opponents

The Raptors will face some of the best teams in the league in December.

It begins on Dec. 2 with a matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, who are starting to get healthy and are in the midst of a seven-game winning streak. Two weeks later (Dec. 14), the Raptors travel to Brooklyn to play the Nets for the second time this season. Led by Kevin Durant's 31 points, the Nets won the first contest with a final score of 116-103.

Following their meeting with the Nets, the Raptors will host the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 16 and the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 18.

The Raptors close the month with showdowns against the Philadelphia 76ers (Dec. 28) and LA Clippers (Dec. 31) at home.

Through 22 games, the Raptors are 4-2 against teams below .500 and 5-11 against teams .500 and above.

MORE: Kevin Durant impressed by Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes

Easiest opponents

The Raptors will play only three teams that are below .500 entering the month of December.

Those teams? The Oklahoma City Thunder (Dec. 8), Sacramento Kings (Dec. 13) and Orlando Magic (Dec. 20).

Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets), Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)

Notable matchups

Milwaukee Bucks (Dec. 2): The Raptors get their first look of the season at Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champions.

New York Knicks (Dec. 10): A return home for RJ Barrett, who was born in Toronto, Ontario.

Brooklyn Nets (Dec. 14): The Nets are home to two of the best players in the league in Kevin Durant and James Harden.

Chicago Bulls (Dec. 16, Dec. 22): DeMar DeRozan faces his former team twice in December, once in Toronto and once in Chicago.

Cleveland Cavaliers (Dec. 26): A battle between two of the best players in the 2021 NBA Draft class in Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley.

Philadelphia 76ers (Dec. 28): The Raptors have a history of defending four-time All-Star Joel Embiid well, limiting him to 19.6 points on 40.9 percent shooting from the field in 14 career games.

MORE: Is DeRozan destined for the Hall of Fame?

The injury report

OG Anunoby (left hip pointer), Khem Birch (right knee swelling), Goran Dragic (not with team) and Gary Trent Jr. (right calf contusion) each missed Toronto's loss to Memphis on Nov. 30.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.

Author(s)
Scott Rafferty Photo

Scott Rafferty is a Senior NBA Editor for The Sporting News