Eager Raptors fans donned ponchos, huddled under umbrellas and spontaneously burst into chants in downtown Toronto on Monday as they waited for a potentially championship-clinching game to tip off on the teamB次元官网网址檚 home court.
Rain that fell on and off throughout the day didnB次元官网网址檛 dampen the spirits of those who waited to get into the Jurassic Park fan zone outside the arena where CanadaB次元官网网址檚 sole NBA team will play the Golden State Warriors for Game 5 for the Finals.
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Some had come from all over Toronto, others travelled from farther afield to be part of the excitement. The smell of marijuana wafted through the air as the line snaked halfway around the large arena, and predictions that the Raptors would take home the title could be heard all around.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been a Raps fan since day one, young, young,B次元官网网址� said 15-year-old Kamryn Thompsett. B次元官网网址淏eing in the NBA Finals is a big thing to me. If they win tonight, itB次元官网网址檚 party all night.B次元官网网址�
Thompsett was in line with his friend, Zackery Spice. The two high schoolers had ditched classes, hopped on a bus from Uxbridge, Ont., with their moms and got in line around 6:30 a.m.
B次元官网网址淲e were up all night because we were scared we wouldnB次元官网网址檛 catch the bus,B次元官网网址� said Spice, 15, who predicted the Raptors playing at home would give the team a boost. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e up 3-1, we could win.B次元官网网址�
Shiva Baweja, who had come into the city from Mississauga, Ont., to get in line at 6 a.m., also predicted a big night for the Raptors.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to win today,B次元官网网址� said the 17-year-old. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been waiting for this moment for a while.B次元官网网址�
The stage is set.
B次元官网网址� Toronto Raptors (@Raptors)
Tonight, we sing the anthem together all in red.
Gates open at 7pm, get those shirts on & let 'em hear us.
Even those who had only recently become fans of the team were brimming with anticipation.
B次元官网网址淚 just hopped on the bandwagon after we won, whatB次元官网网址檚 it called, the semi-finals?B次元官网网址� said 22-year-old Jediael Tracey. B次元官网网址淣ow they mean everything to me.B次元官网网址�
Versions of the Jurassic Park fan zone, where large screens broadcast the games, have sprung up in cities across the country.
Peel police Sgt. Joe Cardi said his force was expecting 25,000 fans to show up at MississaugaB次元官网网址檚 Jurassic Park West, the name currently being used for the cityB次元官网网址檚 Celebration Square.
B次元官网网址淲e want everyone to have a good time, cheer on the team, and make it home safely,B次元官网网址� Cardi said. B次元官网网址淕o Raptors!B次元官网网址�
In Montreal, the enthusiasm for CanadaB次元官网网址檚 lone NBA franchise was enough to create the unthinkable: a major downtown street was closed off Monday night so fans could cheer on a team from Toronto.
Starting at 5 p.m., a section of Peel Street became a Montreal version of Jurassic Park for the first time, with a big screen in place to broadcast the game. It is the same stretch of street that was closed off last week for festivities connected with the Canadian Grand Prix.
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Fans in Halifax were set to watch the game at block parties, while those in Regina can head to Mosaic Stadium, home of the CFLB次元官网网址檚 Saskatchewan Roughriders, to watch on the MaxTron screen. The screen is the largest in Canada, and B次元官网网址� at more than 630 square metres B次元官网网址� is even bigger than a standard NBA basketball court.
A special viewing party was also planned at TorontoB次元官网网址檚 Hospital for Sick Children for patients, their families and staff. The hospital is part of a charity challenge between Toronto Mayor John Tory and his Oakland, Calif., counterpart during the RaptorsB次元官网网址� playoff run.
Tory and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf have been competing to see who can raise more money for a good cause, with Toronto fans asked to donate to the SickKids Foundation for the Hospital for Sick Children and Warriors fans challenged to give money to two food banks.
Other politicians have also been making wagers on the two teams.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a bet on the Finals with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, putting up bagels and beer against wine and chocolate.
Meanwhile, officials asked fans to be on their best behaviour while taking in the game, which begins at 9 p.m. ET.
In Toronto, city staff, police and the local transit agency said they were working with Raptors parent company Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to deal with the thousands that are expected to turn out.
B次元官网网址淲e would like to remind the public to make decisions that do not impact their own safety or that of others when gathering to enjoy the game celebrations,B次元官网网址� said police spokeswoman Katrina Arrogante.
Online ticket-resale site StubHub said MondayB次元官网网址檚 game was its all-time NBA leader in sales. The highest ticket sold on the site for Game 5 was listed at $27,500, it said.
B次元官网网址淭he demand is indicative of a fanbase waiting 24 years for a chance at the countryB次元官网网址檚 first NBA Championship,B次元官网网址� said Paul Nowosad, general manager of StubHub Canada. B次元官网网址淔ans want to be there for what could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.B次元官网网址�
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The Canadian Press
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