At long last, Toronto Raptors preseason is back. After four long months, the Raptors faced off against the Houston Rockets in the first series of the Japan Games. Their first-ever preseason game as the reigning NBA champions, the Raptors would be without Kyle Lowry – who had just signed a new one-year extension 24 hours prior – and Marc Gasol.
As expected in preseason, the defense was at something of a premium. The Rockets were featuring in their third preseason game, while this would be the Toronto Raptors first. At times, that rustiness showed.