Around this time last year the Raptors beat the streaking Rockets, hitting them with their one and only loss across a 29-game span. At the time it felt like perhaps the signature win of the season for Toronto, one in which they stuck to their game plan, staved off the relentless onslaught of eventual MVP James Harden, and rose to the level of championship contender by being their best selves. Drake cheered from his courtside seat; we were all ready for what was to come.
As it turned out, that game didn’t matter a lick.