The Toronto Raptors have had to fight to get this far . After losing Game 1, it took five games to defeat the Orlando Magic. The next series they went the distance with the Philadelphia 76ers. Through both of those series, one thing was certain, Nick Nurse and his coaching staff could not rely on their bench.
There have been two Raptors reserve players who have played in every game these playoffs, Serge Ibaka, who was a starter for much of the season and Fred VanVleet who started 28 games during the regular season.