The Raptors lost Game 1 last night.
Again.
Yes, I’m writing this post.
Again.
Toronto’s Game 1 struggles have reached comical proportions. Dropping the opening game of their second-round series to the Cavaliers, the Raptors have now lost 10 straight Game 1s. Their 1-12 all-time record in Game 1s is the worst among the NBA’s 30 current franchises:
This isn’t just a result of a team overachieving just to reach the playoffs. Toronto is an unbelievable 0-6 in home Game 1s, including lost to the Bucks last round.
Maybe this is just coincidence. Maybe the Raptors have structural problems preparing for a series. But whatever it is seems not to carry into later games. Toronto is a nearly middling 27-29 in Games 2-7.
So perhaps there’s hope for the Raptors against Cleveland (though watching Game 1 certainly wouldn’t indicate it).
At least Toronto can take solace in not have the worst Game 1 win percentage in NBA history.
The Sheboygan Red Skins lost Game 1 of the 1950 Western Division semifinals to the Indianapolis Olympians then feel in three games. After its lone NBA season, Sheboygan was forced out and joined the National Professional Basketball League.