In a lot of ways, tonight’s 120-117 Raptors win, despite all the new players in Toronto, was something of a throwback. There were a handful of wild runs and surprising heroics, it often felt like the home team was blowing it, the crowd serenaded the officials with a “refs you suck” chant, and the final play owed everything to DeMar DeRozan. It was stressful, as Raptors games continue to be, but also comforting.
Yes, this was the first appearance of DeRozan, the former Mr. I Am Toronto, in the city that raised him to basketball maturity.