NBA announces 2022-23 schedule, Raptors open Oct. 19 vs. Cavaliers

Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes (4) works against Cleveland Cavaliers' Isaac Okoro (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Cleveland. (Ron Schwane/AP)

The Toronto Raptors will open the 2022-23 campaign at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 19, and close the 82-game marathon on April 9 at home against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The NBA announced the complete schedule on Wednesday after reports began trickling out over the past few days.

In a press release, the NBA says the schedule will see all teams reduce their travel by nearly 2,000 miles compared to last season and teams are projected to travel 50,000 fewer miles combined. The league says it has increased the number of times road teams don't have to travel between games by 66 per cent. This includes 55 instances where teams will play consecutive road games against the same opponent and 33 instances where teams will play two road games in a row in Los Angeles (against the Clippers and Lakers) or New York (against the Knicks and Nets).

Here are some other highlights:

• Opening Night: The season will open with a doubleheader on Oct. 18 with the Philadelphia 76ers hosting the Boston Celtics, followed by the Golden State Warriors receiving their championship rings before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

• Election Night: The NBA will not have any games on Nov. 8, the day of the midterm elections in the United States. On Nov. 7, all 30 teams will compete and teams will be actively promoting voter participation leading up to the elections.

• Christmas Day: The NBA will once again feature five marquee matchups on Christmas Day. First, the Knicks will host the 76ers, followed by Lakers at Mavericks, Celtics at Bucks and Grizzlies at Warriors. The Christmas Day marathon will conclude with the Nuggets hosting the Suns.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The NBA will feature a doubleheader of game to mark the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 16. First, the Hawks will host the Heat in a rematch of their first-round playoff series. That will be followed by the Suns visiting the Grizzlies in a game featuring the teams with the top two records last season.

• NBA Rivals Week: A new feature on the schedule is Rivals Week, featuring 11 can't-miss matchups from Jan. 24-28. Rivalry week games include: Celtics at Heat, Clippers vs. Lakers, Nets at 76ers, Grizzlies at Warriors, Bulls at Hornets, Mavericks at Suns, Grizzlies at Timberwolves, Raptors at Warriors, Nuggets at 76ers, Knicks at Nets and Lakers at Celtics.

• Global Games: The NBA will once again take the game internationally with a pair of games outside of the U.S. and Canada. First up the Heat will face the Spurs in Mexico City on Dec. 17 at the Arena CDMX. Then, on Jan. 19 the Bulls and Pistons will travel to France to play a game at Accor Arena in Paris.

• Giants of Africa Game: The Raptors will host the eighth annual Giants of Africa Game — celebrating the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela — on Dec. 5 against the Boston Celtics.

Below is the complete Raptors schedule for the 2022-23 season.

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