We have our date with Kawhi Leonard, we have our post-brunch Christmas game. Now, it appears the last major question mark on the 2019-20 NBA schedule is getting an answer. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Saturday that the league’s opening night will feature the Raptors hanging their championship banner while hosting the upstart New Orleans Pelicans.
The game will precede a battle of Los Angeles featuring Kawhi and his new team, meaning the Raptors will be a focal point for most of the evening.
The matchup against New Orleans instead of an Eastern Conference powerhouse is a bit surprising to me, but it does give some shine to a young team that could surprise this season.