Game 4 between the Raptors and Sixers could have been a morose Viking funeral to send this very fun but very green Raptors team into the off-season without a single win to show for their first playoff appearance post-Kyle Lowry.
Instead, it turned into a euphoric celebration of a team that overshot its preseason expectations, and continues to impress even with the deck stacked against it. More than anything, it was confirmation that the road ahead for these Raptors is going to be loaded with good times.
The day was assured of having a positive tinge to it, regardless of the on-court result, when it was announced about an hour before tip that Scottie Barnes had narrowly edged out Evan Mobley to win Rookie of the Year, mere moments before his return from the sprained ankle that kept him out of Games 2 and 3 was announced as well.