It was fitting, during a third quarter where everyone in the building could smell the Indiana Pacers’ blood but didn’t dare jinx what was happening, that Jose Bautista was shown on the big screen at the Air Canada Centre. The Bat Flip is a part of Toronto sports lore, one of those rare moments where potential was realized and fans’ hopes weren’t lost to the impossible comeback or the improbable choke job. The Raptors had to battle both down the stretch, but held their demons and the city’s reputation at bay enough to make some history, advancing to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time in 15 years with an 89-84 win.
Five moments from the Raptors’ Game 7 win over Indiana
