If you’re a Tampa resident, you may wonder where the Raptors are playing this season. Here are a few possible venues. Check out Amalie Arena and the Hotel ballroom. In addition to that, you can check out the Pelicans.
Amalie Arena
Amalie Arena is a multipurpose arena in Tampa, Florida. It has hosted basketball, ice hockey, arena football, concerts, and other events. It is the home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team in the National Hockey League.
The Toronto Raptors have decided to play the entire 2020-21 regular season in Tampa, Florida. While the team has had a successful season at the arena, they are still subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Though the NHL team will return to action on Jan. 13, many questions remain about how fans can travel to Tampa for the game.
While the Raptors will not be able to open their season in Toronto, their fans will be able to support their team at Amalie Arena. The team’s homecourt trappings are also on display, including their logo, team colors, chevrons, and unpainted wood. In addition, the team’s “We the North” slogan is displayed on the black perimeter of the court.
Amalie Arena has hosted the National Hockey League All-Star Game twice. The first was in 1999. The second time was in 2018. The arena is a prime spot for the game. It also has a capacity for 12,000 people. Despite the limited seating, the hall is still a popular venue for concerts and other significant events.
Fans will be able to attend Raptors home games in Tampa. The team plans to hold 18 home games in Amalie Arena through the end of the season. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets early because tickets are expected to sell out quickly. You can also purchase Raptors and Tampa Bay Lightning memberships ahead of time.
Despite the Raptors’ challenges when crossing the border, they are still in Tampa for the season. The Raptors are 6-5 in Amalie Arena so far this season. The arena is also home to the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. In addition, the city is home to the Tampa Rays and the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers.
Hotel Ballroom
The Raptors are spending this week settling into the Florida state capital and training at Saint Leo University, a half-hour drive north of Toronto. Nick Nurse, the Raptors’ head coach, is acclimating to hotel life, as are his players and staff. Coach Nick Nurse has been in touch with the Saint Leo men’s basketball coach, Lance Randall, who is also the former head coach of the Birmingham Bullets in the British Basketball League.
The hotel’s ballroom is usually reserved for weddings, parties, convention events, and weightlifting sessions. The Raptors are taking over the entire fourth floor, and they’ve even partnered with Disney to provide two basketball courts used in the NBA bubble. Five truckloads of Raptors gear are being delivered from Toronto, and Team Tampa is coordinating the logistics of getting them set up.
Unlike in Toronto, the Raptors’ temporary home is a packed arena. The team hired a design firm BaAM Productions, which worked last year with the Blue Jays on their temporary home. The Raptors’ new arena includes two Walt Disney World basketball courts, coaches’ offices, video rooms, weight and training rooms, and locker rooms. They’ve said the facility is more spacious than the Suns’ former facility.
While the Raptors have only one home game this season, their schedule is almost complete. After drafts, the team’s schedule is expected to be finalized within the next few days. The team’s relocation to Tampa is part of an effort to stay close to home. They have played at Disney World in the past, but the government’s ban forced the team to relocate. Despite the new location, the Raptors still need a practice facility.
The Raptors’ new team room has signage proclaiming “We The North.” Their unique team jerseys and ballroom wall feature “We the North.” The court was initially installed in Toronto. A 2019 world championship banner hangs from the rafters on the same end of the court as the bench. The team is excited to be back playing basketball after being bounced from the playoffs by the Boston Celtics.
Raptors players have praised the setup of the hotel ballroom. In addition to the new practice facility, the Raptors enjoy the mascot performing during Raptors games. In addition, the lineups are announced the same way as in Toronto. And if they don’t like it at Amalie Arena, they can practice in a new ballroom in the J.W. Marriott.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are a professional basketball team that plays in the Southwest Division of the NBA. The team plays 82 games per season. Its regular season schedule begins in October and ends in April. After the regular season, the Pelicans begin the playoffs. They have won five conference titles and one division title throughout their history.
The Pelicans opened the season with a 130-108 win over the Brooklyn Nets. They also beat the San Antonio Spurs 129-102 on the road. The Pelicans hold a 23-12 record against the Hornets in regular season games, but Charlotte has won the last two.
In addition to injuries, the Pelicans are missing star guard Zion Williamson. On Monday, Williamson suffered a hip injury against the Utah Jazz. The former Duke star was attempting a dunk when he twisted his hip. He was later diagnosed with a posterior hip contusion. Since the start of the 2019 season, Williamson has struggled to be a reliable starter for the Pelicans. He will likely miss the entire 2021-2022 season.
The Pelicans will open the season in the Barclays Center on Feb. 25, with a trip to New York City on an ensuing day. The New Orleans Pelicans will make their final road trip before their four-game homestand begins. Afterward, they will play the New York Knicks, who have won the last two games at the Smoothie King Center. This game could have playoff implications for both teams.
The Pelicans have been struggling as of late. Last night, they lost to a team without Damian Lillard. The Pelicans’ offense had its worst offensive performance of the season. The Pelicans’ other game was a loss against the Houston Rockets. They will be looking to get back to their winning ways in Tampa.
Tickets are costly for home Pelicans games. They start at $10 per seat and can go as high as $130 per game. Purchasing tickets in the postseason is even more expensive. If you have a large budget, you can sit in one of the courtside suites.
The Pelicans have a long starting lineup and are very good on defense. Their size and chemistry should allow them to aggravate Kevin Durant. The Pelicans also have plenty of experience. Both teams are ranked outside the top 15 in turnover rate, and turnovers slow down the game.
The Pelicans are currently on a three-game losing streak. The Pelicans are a 1.5-point favorite. The Pelicans have a 2-3 record as Moneyline favorites this season when the odds are -124 or less. They are also 1-4 ATS this season when they are 1.5-point favorites.
