Toronto Raptors 2009-2010 Game-By-Game Predictions

Another International Player Joins the Cosmopolitan Toronto Raptors

The 2009-2010 Toronto Raptors will open the season with only three players (Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh, and Jose Calderon) who were on the active roster for last season's opener. The Raptors acquired nine new players during the offseason to totally rebuild their roster.

Hedo Turkoglu, who the Raptors acquired from the Orlando Magic in a complicated four-team sign-and trade, is one of those new players. Turkoglu, Bargnani, Bosh, and Calderon form the core of this cosmopolitan team in a cosmopolitan city. Turkoglu, who was a primary cog in the Magic's run to the 2009 Finals, is a 6'10" small forward who causes matchup nightmares with his ball-handling, passing, and shooting skills.

Rookie DeMar DeRozan (selected ninth overall in the 2009 NBA Draft) is a phenomenal athlete who should fit in well with the wide open, up-tempo style of basketball the Raptors will play this season.

With so much roster turnover it will be interesting to see which players will take on leadership roles and how quickly the team gels together. These two factors may very well determine the success of the Toronto Raptors this season.

Here are game-by-game predictions for the 2009-2010 Toronto Raptors:

Game 1, Wednesday, October 28th versus Cavaliers- Raptors begin the season with a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers (Record 0-1).

Game 2, Friday, October 30th at Memphis- Raptors drop a road game to the Memphis Grizzlies (Record 0-2).

Game 3, Sunday, November 1st versus Magic- Hedo Turkoglu helps the Raptors get a quality win over the Orlando Magic (Record 1-2).

Game 4, Wednesday, November 4th versus Pistons- Raptors fall to the Detroit Pistons at the Air Canada Centre (Record 1-3).

Game 5, Friday, November 6th at New Orleans- Raptors begin a three-game road trip with a loss to the New Orleans Hornets (Record 1-4).

Game 6, Saturday, November 7th at Dallas- Raptors continue to struggle as they drop the second game of a back-to-back to the Dallas Mavericks (Record 1-5).

Game 7, Monday, November 9th at San Antonio- Raptors fall to the San Antonio Spurs and lose their fourth straight on the road (Record 1-6).