If the best funerals sprinkle in equal parts mourning and celebration of the life of the deceased, the Raptors just hosted themselves a banger.
In the hours leading up to the Raptors 109-102 series-clinching loss to the Cavs on Sunday afternoon, there was little to suggest the Raptors might have the ability to keep Game 4 from being an entirely somber occasion. Kyle Lowry was ruled out early, erasing the glimmer of hope that accompanied his “game-time decision” status before Game 3. Dwane Casey seemed morose, the pregame locker room was muted, and the white shirts in the crowd weren’t fooling anyone — this game had all the makings of an unceremonious end to the Raptors Golden Age.