They took a gamble and lost trading pick for Zubac. But they only had that pick again thanks to ripping off the Pelicans before Haliburton got hurt. Raptors of course would also have preferred 4th pick over Ingram, but who could have known Haliburton would go down and so would the Pacers?

Gauntlet laid, history made. First never fades. First-ever tip-off tonight at 7:30pm ET. Opening Night presented by CIBC

Thoughts on what Bobby Webster had to say about the future of the Toronto Raptors today: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Bobby Webster says it was a fun season, hopes fans got some new Raptors memories. "Proud of what (they) did, but a new hunger for more."

You cannot make this up. Sports is incredible. Yesterday was a bit of a disaster for the Maple Leafs. All that is forgotten now.

One of the pathways to flexibility for the Raptors is trading Dick for a smaller/or partially guaranteed contract and second rounders. There's risk if Dick figures it out, but it might be easiest way to keep Mamu/add to picks war chest.

Darko Rajakovic says he's already started preparing for next season. "Process really never stops. Constantly finding ways how to help, how to improve, how to get better."

Raptors season-ending media availability will begin shortly. Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes will lead off. Darko Rajakovic and Bobby Webster will speak on other days.

"This loss is definitely gonna hurt. Could've won this game. Could've won this series." - Barrett

High scoring average in a single postseason in Raptors history: Kawhi Leonard - 30.5 in 2019 Vince Carter - 27.3 in 2001 RJ Barrett - 24.1 this year Scottie Barnes - 24.1 this year Chris Bosh - 24.0 in 2008

Shead said he sprained his ankle pretty badly. Pain tolerance wasn't issue, but he had a tough time moving in second half.

Takeaways from the last Toronto Raptors game of the season: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

This season reminded me a lot of 2014, the start of the We The North Era. Is this the start of something too? Depends if the front office can extricate itself from a dicey spot. Fun year after some bad ones.

90% of the pressure of this game is on the Cavaliers (based on where they finished last year, expectations after adding Harden, his and Mitchell's iffy playoff record, etc.). The longer the Raptors stay ahead or even close, the longer the pressure sticks on Cleveland

Sandro Mamukelashvili was one of the best reserves in the NBA this season. He's been poor for the Raptors in this series. Looking overwhelmed. That's how it goes sometimes in the playoffs. But if you can advance, things can change quickly. Ask Fred VanVleet about 2019.

The Toronto Raptors have a type at PG. Undersized. Gritty. Basketball savants. Winners.

And again, Some pre-game reading before Cavaliers-Raptors Game 7. My oral history of RJ Barrett's unreal buzzer-beater: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Did an oral history of RJ Barrett’s soaring shot that will be etched into Raptors history: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Did an oral history of RJ Barrett’s soaring shot that will be etched into Raptors history: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Woz is cooking up something good for those who still like to read today.

"Just because he's a rookie doesn't mean he doesn't know how to play." - Jamal Shead on Collin Murray-Boyles. "Collin has been awesome for us offensively and defensively, but having him and Scottie on that back end is really, really helpful."

Jamal Shead thanked Raptors assistant coach Eric Khoury, who makes the quick challenge decisions for keeping him the game. "Shout out E. That was big-time. I kind of thought that maybe I got fouled, but he went and looked at the computer ... - 1/2

Mitch Marner did come up big last night though. Of course.

Pretty fun spring shaping up for Canadian hoops icon Steve Nash. His Godson RJ Barrett having a great playoffs and just hit an all-time Raptors shot. His nephew Caleb Malhotra could go Top 5 in NHL draft next month.

What a replay

From One hell of a night

Raptors @ Cavaliers, Game 7, will be Sunday at 7:30 on Sportsnet/590. Magic @ Pistons at 3:30, and the two winners square off beginning Tuesday.

Wrote this off a Raptors classic: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

"I didn't make nothing the whole 4th quarter, overtime, so for that to drop..." says RJ Barrett, before referencing the Haliburton straight-up bounce and knowing it going straight up still gave it a chance.

asked if he'd dreamed about making a shot like that in his hometown and rj barrett says he "still dreams about it"

Game 7 it is.

Un-fucking believable. I've seen the Kawhi shot live and now I've seen the RJ Barrett shot.

What a game. It's loud in here. Reminds me so much of 2014. Raptors hoping for a different result.

Cleveland within three in a game they don't have much business being in. There's been situations like this for both teams in this series.

Raptors say RJ Barrett has scored 20+ points in five of six games in this series. He has scored 142 points which is the second-highest points total through a player’s first six post-season games with the Raptors. Kawhi Leonard scored 184 points in 2019.

The Magic missed 17 shots in a row? How many times can Jamahl Mosley go from fired, to coach of the year to fired, to coach of the year, to fired in one month challenge>

In October of 2023 Patrick Beverley claimed the Raptors had "no dogs." Now they've got a kennel of them.

Jamal Shead having dare I say a Kyle Lowry-lite-like impact on this game. Second-winningest player in University of Houston history. It shows.

Agreed

Wol-stat of the day: Playing against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team with the NBA's highest payroll, the Toronto Raptors will have $70 million and change on the sidelines with Ingram and Quickley inactive.

Ingram is out

Wol-stat of the day: The Raptors are 6-7 in Game 6 of a playoff series. They've been eliminated three times in a Game 6 (Nets 2007, Cavaliers 2016, Sixers 2022). * Fixed spelling

All four Eastern Conference series will go at least six games. just the fourth time that’s happened in either conference since 2003, per @nba.com

"I take everything as disrespect. ... Don't walk to our bench and grab the ball." - Barrett, who says he has a ton of respect for Harden in general.

Barnes said he got hit in his quad on a drive to the basket (he thinks it was Thomas Bryant). “Obviously, it had some effect. I couldn’t play with that same pace that I was trying to play with.” Went on to say: “I’ll be ready (for Game 6).”

That's tough. Raptors played asses off but were so short-handed and Barnes didn't look right after whatever happened earlier. Cavs shouldn't feel great about that one, but are in control for sure needing to only win one. Only second close game they've played in playoffs in Cleveland in 10 tries.

Wol-stat(s) of the day: Toronto is 0-9 at Cleveland in the playoffs, with an average margin of defeat of 20.1 points. Raptors 11-6 in Game 5s all-time. Raptors 7-5 in series that began 2-2.

Wol-stat of the day: Four Canadians sit in the Top 13 in NBA playoff scoring through Monday's games. 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33.8 per game) 4. Jamal Murray and Dillon Brooks (tied with Joel Embiid) (26.0) 13. RJ Barrett (tied with Donovan Mitchell) (24.3).

Wrote on Collin Murray-Boyles, the 20-year-old Raptors rookie who is way ahead of schedule and wrecking the Cavaliers: torontosun.com/sports/baske...