After years of being cursed by the NBA post-season scheduling gods, the Toronto Raptors finally have been given a favourable start time.
The Raptors host Milwaukee in Game 1 of the opening round at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, prompting team president Masai Ujiri to quip that might finally mean a victory.
"Well, we have changed it from a 6 a.m. game to a 5:30 p.m. game so. . .," Ujiri said laughing. "Oops I might get fined for that one."
The Raptors have never won a Game 1 of an opening-round series. They also haven't opened the playoffs in the evening since way back in 2002.
Toronto was slotted into the 12:30 p.m. matinee game in five straight playoff appearances before this year.
"I'm just more excited that we don't have the noon game," Kyle Lowry said. "That's more exciting than everything."