The Toronto Raptors followed up their largest playoff win in franchise history with one of their worst playoff defeats in franchise history, losing by 31 in a 115-84 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. This equals their second largest playoff defeat, last year’s Game 4 loss to the Washington Wizards (125-94) that saw the Raptors swept from the first round of the playoffs after a record-setting regular season. The only worse defeat for the Raptors franchise was a 121-88 dismantling by the Allen Iverson led Philadelphia 76ers in 2001.
With Game 1 in the rear view mirror and Raptors fans guaranteed at least three more games against the powerful Cleveland team, it’s important to look at the positives (however rare they may be) that can be taken away from Game 1.