10 greatest moments in Raptors history

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81. 89. 27. Final. 93

The Raptors shocked the NBA by erasing the Knicks’ 2-1 series lead to win the 5-game quarterfinal in New York. The Knicks made a game of it, almost wiping out an 11-point lead the Raptors had built up after 3 quarters.

Vince Carter (more on him later) led the scoring with 27, which included 3 of 3 from deep. The Raptors were 6 of 9 from beyond the arc, while the normally accurate Knicks were 6 for 19.

TORONTO, CANADA – NOVEMBER 7: The Toronto Raptors mascot and former Toronto Raptors Antonio Davis and Alvin Williams watch during the game between the Toronto Raptors and the Washington Wizards on November 7, 2014 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens, the epitome of a old-school bench boss, played his starters mercilessly. Vince, Alvin Williams, and Antonio Davis all logged more than 40 minutes. Only three guys, one of them Steph Curry’s father, got off the pine. Another was Jerome Williams, the Junk Yard Dog. That might be the most misleading nickname in sports history; he’s an absolute gentleman.

The Raptors next faced the Philadelphia 76ers, a series which went 7 games and to the final shot. Let’s move on – I still feel pain when I remember seeing Vince’s game-winning try at the buzzer hit back iron.

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