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The Toronto Raptors’ road to the NBA Finals: a timeline

The history of the Toronto Raptors certainly has its fair share of ups, downs and just plain strange moments.

Here’s a look at the Raptors’ winding road to the 2019 NBA Finals:

NOV. 4, 1993: The NBA awards Toronto its 28th franchise. John Bitove and Allan Slaight each have 44 per cent ownership of the team.

MAY 15, 1994: The team announces it will be called the Raptors. Many feel the name was influenced by the popularity of the movie “Jurassic Park.”

MAY 24, 1994: NBA legend Isiah Thomas is introduced as vice-president of basketball and eventually gets part ownership of team.