The Toronto Raptors are back in the NBA playoffs after missing out on the post-season last year.
Game 1 of the 76ers series will tip off Saturday night in Philadelphia at 6 p.m. in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Raps finished their 2021-2022 season with a record of 48-34 — one spot behind the 76ers’ 51-31.
The two teams have history in the playoffs.
Back in 2001, Vince Carter led the Raptors to the conference semifinals against Allen Iverson and the 76ers. The Raptors lost the series in Game 7 despite a last-ditch effort by Carter to take the lead at the buzzer.
Fast forward 18 years, former Raptor Kawhi Leonard would avenge Toronto in the second post-season meeting between the two teams in Game 7 of the conference semifinals. Leonard’s two-point play to win the game has become known as “the shot” and the Raptors would go on to win their first-ever NBA championship that season.
The two teams will meet in the playoffs for the third time tonight. Here’s a list of places you can watch:
This year’s viewing party is a little different in that fans will need to obtain free mobile passes to enter Maple Leaf Square. Each guest can obtain as many as four passes which are available 24 to 48 hours before each confirmed game. Doors open at 3:30 PM for Game 1.
You can get your passes here, depending on availability.
REAL SPORTS
Real Sports, which is also located in Maple Leaf Square, has become the go-to place to catch a playoff game in Toronto in recent years. There’s no shortage of TV screens or food and beverage options at this downtown sports staple.
A short walk from Scotiabank Arena, you can also catch Game 1 action at the Loose Moose. With a wide selection of draught beer and live music set to kick off following the final buzzer, there’s something for every Raps fan at this Front Street establishment.
For a more understated vibe, head to The Dock Ellis — a classic Toronto sports bar in the city’s west end. TV screens line the walls of this Little Portugal haunt and guests can play a quick game of pool or foosball between quarters.
THE QUEEN’S HEAD PUB
If you’re in the east end and searching for a place to watch the game, look no further than The Queen’s Head Pub. As the name suggests, British pub fare is the specialty at this Leslieville staple and the Raps game will be on almost every TV that isn’t playing the Leafs and Jays’ games.
MCSORELY’S SALOON & GRILL
Raptors fans in midtown Toronto don’t have to travel far to watch Game 1. McSorely’s Saloon & Grill, located on Bayview Avenue, just south of Eglinton, is boasting full sound and 15 TVs for tonight’s game. The popular Leaside eatery is also offering beer and food specials for each game in the series.
You can also watch tonight’s game from the comfort of your own home on TSN1/4, TSN.ca, the TSN App and on TSN Direct at 6pm et/3pm pt.
The Raptors will play Game 2 of the series on Monday in Philadelphia before returning to Toronto for Game 3 on Wednesday, April 20 and Game 4 on Saturday, April 23.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
