4 Things to Know About Raptors' NBA Cup Schedule

The Toronto Raptors are coming off their best performance in the NBA Cup last season, as they reached the knockout round but lost to the eventual champion New York Knicks at home in the quarterfinals.

This year, the Raptors face a difficult East Group A with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets all competing for a spot out of the group. Here's a look at what to expect for those four games.

Game 1: Raptors Host Magic

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes drives to the basket as Orlando Magic forward Jamal Cain tries to defend. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Friday, Oct. 30: vs Orlando, 7:30 p.m., TSN or Sportsnet, Scotiabank Arena

The last time the Raptors hosted the Magic came back in March, when Toronto pummeled Orlando in a 52-point victory. They also had a 20-point comeback at home in December, which ultimately altered the Eastern Conference standings by the end of the season.

Toronto had 46 wins, which granted them the number five seed in the Eastern Conference, while Orlando's 45 wins were only good enough for the number eight seed. Both teams were eliminated in Game 7 of the first round in last year's playoffs, so each team has a lot to prove going into the upcoming season.

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, when healthy, can be one of the best dynamic duos in the NBA. The Raptors will have their hands full, as Scottie Barnes and either Kawhi Leonard or Brandon Ingram will have a strong matchup to try and counter them.

Game 2: Raptors Visit New-Look Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims passes the ball away from Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Friday, Nov. 6: at Milwaukee, 8 p.m., TSN or Sportsnet, Fiserv Forum

This will likely be the first meeting between the Raptors and Bucks since Milwaukee traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster trade earlier this offseason. The Bucks are picking up the pieces from their big trade and starting a rebuild, which should feature Tyler Hero pretty heavily in the upcoming season.

The Bucks also have a pair of rookies in Braden Burries and Nate Ament. They could be given a decent amount of minutes early on in their careers as head coach Taylor Jenkins figures out what the team has in each of them as prospects. The Raptors should be favored going into the game, but the NBA Cup has a tendency to raise up the competition level, which adds a little bit of difficulty for this game for Toronto.

Game 3: Raptors Face Pistons in Primetime

Detroit Pistons guard Kevin Huerter defends against Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Friday, Nov. 20: at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., Amazon Prime, Little Caesars Arena

This should be the most difficult game of the four for the Raptors in their NBA Cup schedule. Facing off against the Pistons on the road is no easy feat. Toronto has lost 8 out of the last 9 meetings between the two teams, dating back to December 2023. Their lone win back in March of 2026 gives them hope for a new fortune going into the new season.

If they can find a way to contain Cade Cunningham, who has the chance to become the league MVP this season, the Raptors will have a stronger chance to win. Look for Scottie Barnes to take on a good chunk of that responsibility defending him during the contest.

Game 4: Raptors Close Things Out vs. Nets

Ben Saraf of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Friday, Nov. 27: vs. Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m., TSN or Sportsnet, Scotiabank Arena

The Raptors drawing the Nets in their final NBA Cup game is a good sign for their chances to advance, as long as they take care of business in the first three games. If the Raptors are in competition with other teams to get the wild card spot, having the Nets game close out their run is also a positive development.

If the race comes down to point differential, the Raptors will look to run up the scoreboard as much as possible, and that will be the easiest to do against the Nets, who had a 119.1 defensive rating last season, which ranked 26th in the NBA.

That being said, the Raptors cannot underestimate the Nets, who added Julius Randle to the mix this offseason in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nets are still one of the worst teams in the NBA on paper, but they should be better than they were a year ago, and the Raptors have to take them seriously.

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