Coming into Saturday’s Game 1 against the Wizards, all anyone could talk about was the Raptors’ past and its role in shaping the team’s incoming future. In a vacuum, Toronto should have been easily favoured in a series against Washington; they’re the East’s number one seed, having won 59 games this season, second most in the league. In short, they’ve shown themselves to be good all year. But this is the Raptors in a Game 1 — there will always be doubters.
Just before tip-off it became apparent the ACC roof was leaking, with a bevy of staffers taking turns towelling a single spot on the court.