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Blazers to play preseason tilt against Raptors in Vancouver, B.C.

By Matt George Moore

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 30: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors and CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers are seen before the game on October 30, 2017 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 30: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors and CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers are seen before the game on October 30, 2017 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Get those passports ready, Rip City! The Blazers are headed to the Great White (actually green) North(west) in September.

The NBA Canada Series returns in 2018 after a one-year hiatus. And guess who’s going to be on the marquee for the first time. Well, wouldn’t ya know it? It’s your Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers will play the Toronto Raptors at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday, September 29, 2018.

Canada Series

The NBA Canada Series began in 2012 and has been played each preseason since — with one exception. There was no series in 2017 due to the elongated NBA season and condensed exhibition season.

Damian Lillard seems pleased with the idea:

Lillard’s full quote, from a league press release (and as reported by NBC Sports Northwest’s Jason Quick), was:

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"Vancouver is cool. I’ve been there a few times and I’ve always really enjoyed it. We’re looking forward to playing in front of fans from another great Pacific Northwest city."

The Raptors will also welcome the Brooklyn Nets for another Canada Series game. That one will take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Oct. 10, 2018.

According to the league, “This will mark the fifth preseason game played in Montreal and the fourth preseason game played in Vancouver as part of the NBA Canada Series.”

There’s also going to be a whole host of other activities, according to the NBA. Highlights include “an expanded schedule of interactive fan events, NBA legend appearances, and NBA Cares community outreach programs in Vancouver and Montreal.”

Tickets go on sale July 14, 2018. The league encourages fans “to register for exclusive presale ticket access at NBA.com/CanadaSeries.”

Blazers in Vancouver

Some of you ol’ timers may remember that the city of Vancouver, B.C., had its own NBA team from 1995 to 2001. Known as the Vancouver Grizzlies, the franchise relocated to Memphis after the 2000-2001 season.

The Vancouver Grizzlies’ first official NBA game was against — you guessed it — the Portland Trail Blazers. They opened the 1995-1996 season at General Motors Place (now the Rogers Arena) on Nov. 3, 1995.

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The Grizzlies beat the Blazers that day, 92-80. They were led by Benoit Benjamin (29 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks), Greg Anthony (15 points, six assists) and former Los Angeles Laker Byron Scott, who pitched in 14 points off the bench. The Blazers were led by Clifford Robinson, who had a big game in the loss (33 points, 13 rebounds).

Portland went 7-5 all time in regular season games in Vancouver.