TORONTO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) — The Toronto Raptors easily defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 102-79 to open the 2013 year in NBA action on Wednesday night. The victory also marked the team’s first win to start a new year in the previous four years.
In the three previous games to begin a new year, the Raptors fell to the Boston Celtics in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons and most recently, the Orlando Magic in the shortened 66-game season last year.
Since the team’s inception in the 1995-96 season, the team has played in a total of 18 games to begin a new year with the first game taking place on January 3, 1996 against the same Magic.
In the 18 games, the Raptors recorded a total of six wins and 12 losses. They also hold an identical home and road record with three wins and six losses in each situation.
Orlando has been the most popular opponent, with four games to begin a new year. Portland and Boston are tied for second with three appearances each and Detroit with two. Six other teams each have one appearance, including the Houston Rockets on January 2, 2009 when Yao Ming was still playing in the NBA.
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