Every disappointment can be a lesson, and the Raptors learned a ton from their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They learned which players should be a part of the team’s core, which players were able to rise to the challenge and defy expectations, and who should not be considered a long-term piece.
They also learned how important home-court advantage can be in the playoffs. Knowing that now, the Raptors’ goal for next season shouldn’t just be to return to the playoffs. It should be to go into the playoffs with home-court advantage and give themselves the best chance possible to win a series.
Home-court advantage was a big factor in this series
The home team won every game in this series, and the Raptors played their best games at home in Scotiabank Arena in front of an electric home crowd—so electric, in fact, that it inspired big expectations for the Tempo’s first WNBA season in Toronto.
Playing an elimination game is always difficult, but it becomes a little less difficult when you’re playing at home, surrounded by positive energy from fans who believe in you and want you to succeed. RJ Barrett even said that Game 7 could have been very different if they had played in Toronto instead of Cleveland.
“Yeah, for sure,” Barrett said when asked if playing at home could have changed the momentum in Game 7 during his end-of-season interview. “You were able to see what we did at home the whole series.”
He also said, “The fans are insane over here. It’s the best thing ever, definitely helped us win our games at home.”
Barrett got to experience the love of fans in Toronto in full when he hit a clutch 3-pointer to win Game 6 and extend the series, firmly establishing himself as a hometown Raptors hero.
The Raptors still need to prove that they can win on the road in the playoffs
Home-court advantage can be a big asset, but you still have to be able to win on the road in the playoffs. Otherwise, playoff series will become long and arduous, which is a problem when your goal is to go on a long postseason run, and just one loss at home could ruin your chances to win a series.
After taking this first step, making the playoffs and defending home court admirably, the Raptors should have a chance to take the next step and prove that they can do more than “just” that.
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