Raptors Flip the Script in November - But December’s No Time to Coast
The Toronto Raptors didn’t just bounce back in November - they made a statement. After a rocky 2-4 start in October that had fans wondering if this season would be more about development than contention, the Raptors turned things around in a big way.
They opened November with three straight wins, stumbled against the 76ers, and then rattled off nine consecutive victories. That run didn’t just put them back in the playoff conversation - it launched them into the third seed in the Eastern Conference by month’s end.
A 12-3 record in November? That’s not just a recovery - that’s a team rewriting its own early-season narrative.
Toronto’s success came largely from handling business against beatable opponents, something they failed to do in October. That’s often what separates playoff teams from the rest of the pack - consistency against the teams you’re supposed to beat.
The Raptors did that, and then some. And while questions about their ceiling remain - are they a true contender or just riding a hot streak? - there’s no denying that November was a massive step in the right direction.
But as Kobe Bryant famously said, “The job’s not finished.”
December Brings a New Test - and No Margin for Error
Now comes the real challenge: sustaining that momentum. December opens with a five-game home stand starting against the Trail Blazers. On paper, Portland’s a team the Raptors should beat - they’re hanging around the 10th seed in the West and battling injuries - but they’ve still got enough grit to make things interesting.
From there, the schedule tightens. The Lakers come to town, followed by a rematch with the Hornets - who just handed Toronto one of their two recent losses.
Then it’s the Celtics, and a high-stakes NBA Cup matchup against the Knicks. That Knicks game isn’t just about tournament bragging rights - it could be a springboard into a deeper Cup run and a confidence boost heading into the rest of the month.
And the rest of December? It’s a gauntlet.
The Raptors will face the Bucks, meet Boston again, take on the Nets for a third time, and go toe-to-toe with a tough Miami Heat squad. There’s also a second matchup with Washington, and the month closes with a brutal three-game stretch: Golden State, Orlando, and Denver.
That’s a lot of playoff-caliber basketball in a short span. And with RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl both dealing with injuries heading into the Knicks game, the Raptors’ depth and chemistry are about to be tested.
Scottie Barnes recently spoke about the team’s positive energy and cohesion - and he’s right, it’s been a major factor in their turnaround. But injuries have a way of shaking even the tightest locker rooms, especially when the schedule offers little breathing room.
No Time for Complacency
The Raptors deserve credit for the way they handled November. They went from early-season question mark to legitimate threat in the East.
But December is where we find out what this team is really made of. Can they keep their edge through a tougher slate?
Can they stay healthy enough to maintain their rhythm? Can they prove that November wasn’t a blip, but a blueprint?
There’s no easing into the holiday season for this squad. The games are coming fast, the opponents are getting tougher, and the margin for error is shrinking. The Raptors have built something promising - now it’s about protecting it.