I’ve seen people use the term “playoff atmosphere” to describe the Raptors’ opening night game against the Pelicans. I’m not sure I ever felt the crushing anxiety that comes with a playoff game on Tuesday night, but it sure as hell didn’t feel like a regular season game either. It was a historic, once-in-a-lifetime night that was a celebration of both the Raptors’ 25 year history, and of last year’s historic, once-in-a-lifetime season. The game itself took a back seat.
Tonight, the actual basketball takes center stage once again, as the Raps play their division rivals, the Celtics, a team they are projected to jockey with for seeding throughout the year.