NBA's still a hit in Vancouver and here's what the Raptors said about it
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in a preseason game held in Vancouver, drawing a sold-out crowd. Players and coaches praised the city's support and expressed interest in returning for future games.
Why it matters
It demonstrates the continued popularity of the NBA in Canadian markets outside of Toronto and the league's strategy to expand its fan base.
The Toronto Raptors took their show on the road, and it was once again a slam dunk in Vancouver.
The Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers played in front of a sold-out crowd of 18,872 at Rogers Arena Saturday afternoon. The pro-Raptors crowd went home happy, as Toronto was victorious 114-106.
Kawhi Leonard was in attendance but didn’t play. He instead sat on the bench in street clothes, as the Raptors patiently get him back into game shape.
Kawhi Leonard didn’t play. (Rob Williams/Offside)
That didn’t seem to dampen the enthusiasm, as the crowd gave regular-season energy for the preseason affair.
While the Raptors get a warm welcome wherever they go in Canada, there does seem to be a special bond with Vancouver in particular. The Raptors have played in Vancouver three of the last four years, and seven times since 2012.
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