Maybe it always has to be like this for the Raptors. Despite the personnel changes and the hype, maybe Toronto just has to be here in this feeling of panic every April. Is there any other way to explain this latest Game 1 loss, a 104-101 last second defeat on Saturday to the Orlando Magic? Is there anything we can do to get out of this? Please, I’m asking, the Raptors HQ Twitter account mentions are still a complete mess. And it’s now Monday.
Given the inexperience of the Magic, it would have seemed impossible to bet against a squad boasting the talents of Kawhi Leonard, Marc Gasol, Danny Green, and Kyle Lowry — to say nothing of the ascendent Pascal Siakam.