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Raptors open defense of Atlantic Division title

Oct 31, 2007 - 1:26 PM Philadelphia (0-0) at Toronto (0-0) 7:00 pm EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Toronto Raptors have something new to deal with this season: expectations.

The Raptors begin the defense of their Atlantic Division title when they open the season against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

Toronto cruised to a surprise division title last season, but were jettisoned out of the playoffs in the first round by the New Jersey Nets in six games despite being the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Raptors were without key role players Andrea Bargnani and Jorge Garbajosa in the playoffs due to injuries, but both are healthy to start the season and expect to team with All-Star Chris Bosh to form a formidable frontcourt.

Bosh, who averaged 22.6 points and 10.7 rebounds, hopes to benefit from the acquisition of Jason Kapano, who led the league in 3-point field goal percentage at 51.4 percent for the Miami Heat in 2006-07.

The Sixers could be improved this season as well. After trading franchise icon Allen Iverson to the Denver Nuggets last December, Philadelphia went 30-29 after the deal, including 18-11 to end the regular season.

The strong finish lifted the Sixer to third place in the Atlantic and gave the team hope for this season. They added to their frontcourt depth by taking forwards Thaddeus Young and Jason Smith in the first round of the draft and trading for veteran bruiser Reggie Evans.

Andre Iguodala emerged as the go-to scorer in Iverson's absence, averaging 18.2 points per game, and point guard Andre Miller is back to run the squad.

The Raptors took three of the four matchups with Philadelphia last season.