Ottawa basketball fans watching Canada's only NBA franchise had a reason to celebrate after the Toronto Raptors grinded out a 93-89 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Scottie Barnes and Chris Ingram leading the way.
A Gutsy Win for Canada's Team
The Raptors pulled off the close victory in what was a nail-biting finish, holding off the Cavaliers by just four points. It was the kind of scrappy, defensive-minded performance that has become a hallmark of head coach Darko Rajakovic's squad — a team that has leaned heavily on its young core this season.
Barnes continued to show why he's considered one of the most promising players on the roster, while Ingram chipped in a key contribution when it mattered most. For a Raptors team navigating a difficult stretch of the season, every win counts.
Rajakovic's Serbian Moment
One of the more entertaining post-game moments came courtesy of Rajakovic himself, who delivered a brief Serbian vocabulary lesson to assembled Toronto reporters and fans. It's the kind of personality and warmth that has endeared the first-year coach to the Raptors fanbase across the country — Ottawa included.
Rajakovic has made no secret of his passion for the game and his players, and moments like these remind fans why the rebuild in Toronto, while slow, feels like it's in good hands.
Ottawa's Love for the Raptors
For Ottawa sports fans, the Raptors have long occupied a special place alongside the Senators, the 67s, and the PWHL's Ottawa team. With no NBA franchise of their own, residents of the capital have embraced Toronto's squad as Canada's team — particularly during the championship run of 2019, when viewing parties lit up venues across the ByWard Market and Glebe.
Local sports bars in Ottawa were buzzing for this one too, with fans gathering to watch the tight contest play out. A last-second victory over a tough Cavaliers squad? That's the kind of thing that keeps the basketball conversation alive in Ottawa living rooms and sports bars all spring.
Why It Matters for the Rebuild
The Raptors are firmly in rebuild mode, and wins like this one are important for player development and team confidence. Barnes is emerging as a genuine franchise cornerstone, and each competitive performance against playoff-calibre opponents like Cleveland shows the young roster is capable of competing on any given night.
For Canadian basketball fans from coast to coast — Ottawa very much included — the hope is that this core grows into a perennial contender. The 2019 title proved Toronto can host a championship team; the only question is how soon the next chapter begins.
Source: Global News Ottawa — Barnes, Ingram help Raptors past Cavaliers 93-89
