Kyle Lowry suits up but can’t play. DeMar DeRozan shoots the lights out on his home court, but the Raptors lose. NBA playoff pageantry is less exciting when you’re doomed.
Well, they tried. That’s all you could really hold on to; the Toronto Raptors hung with the Cleveland Cavaliers for three quarters before they were crushed under a sneaker heel, and maybe that’s all you could ask for. For three quarters, they played like they could win the game.