When the Toronto Raptors downed the Miami Heat in Game 7 last Sunday, it was a watershed moment for the franchise, a gateway into the NBA’s elite. Confetti fell from the ceiling; their fans, maybe still somewhat in disbelief that something didn’t go catastrophically wrong at the last minute, finally were able to celebrate.
It took the Raptors themselves about six days to celebrate anything.
Two beat-downs from the Cleveland Cavaliers came in quick succession after that Game 7 win, dropping the Raptors into a 0-2 hole that had many counting down the days until the sweep was completed.