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Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) attempts to recover on defense during Toronto’s Game 2 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. A hometown product, Barrett will be in the starting lineup when Game 3 tips off Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena.David Dermer/Reuters
RJ Barrett has been waiting his whole life, all 25 years, to play post-season basketball in Toronto.
The wait is finally over.
Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., will be in the starting lineup on Thursday night when the Raptors host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of their playoff series. It’s the first time Toronto has been in the playoffs in four years, and Barrett debuted with the team in 2024.
“I feel like a little kid today, man,” Barrett said after morning shootaround at OVO Athletic Centre. “I get to go play, not only in front of all the fans, but in front of my family and friends. I take pride in it. I’ve always been saying, like, just being here, I want to be on a winning team.
“I can’t walk around saying, like, ’I’m on the Raptors, and we have a terrible record.’ That’s embarrassing. I’m excited to just play in front of the crowd, the fans, family and friends.”
The Cavaliers lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 after winning the first two games in Cleveland. Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena will also host Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
If Game 5 is necessary, the series will shift back to Cleveland’s Rocket Arena on Wednesday.
“It’s gonna be crazy in there tonight. The atmosphere is gonna be nuts,” Barrett said. “I had trouble sleeping, I was so excited.
“This would be a great opportunity for us to play hard in front of our fans, and get a good win. Down two games. Get one tonight, and it’s a series.”
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Second-year guard Jamal Shead said the Raptors need the support of Canadian basketball fans both inside and outside of Scotiabank Arena.
“I think the message is clear that we need them,” he said beside Toronto’s practice court. “I think Cleveland had a good showing, but our fans are way better.
“It’s time for them to show it, and it’s time for us to show that we’ve got some fight in us.”
The two teammates had differing views on home-court advantage, the idea that playing in your own arena offers some kind of competitive edge.
“I think being in Scotia is gonna make a difference,” Shead said. “I think that playing with our fans behind us is gonna make a really big difference for us in this game.”
Barrett, after a long pause, offered a different perspective.
“Me personally, I don’t care. I like being on the road, being a villain,” Barrett said. “For our team, it will give us some juice, some life. Whenever you have that crowd there cheering for you, it definitely feels good.
“It feels good, and especially in this playoff environment, it’s a tough environment.”
