That sea of red at the Air Canada Centre yesterday looked great, but the desired effect may have missed the mark.
Especially when the New Jersey Nets showed up wearing their optional road jerseys, which also happen to be red.
With the Raptors in white, the crowd looked very pro-New Jersey. Whether the decision to wear those uniforms was a coincidence or not, no one was saying, but the irony of the situation was not lost on Nets' Richard Jefferson, who even had a little fun with it.
"I think the biggest shock was how much support we got from the Toronto fans," Jefferson said, managing to keep a straight face. "I think that was exciting, the fact that they all came out and wore red and showed us a lot of love.
"I think this might be the first time in my playoff situation where I've ever seen the opposing fans come out and wear the same colour as the opposing team. That, right there, kind of gave us a jolt of energy to start the game and I'd like to thank all the Toronto fans for that."
Every fan entering the arena received a free red T-shirt courtesy of McDonalds bearing the slogan: "Let's go Red. Let's Go Raptors".
The Nets normally wear blue on the road, but introduced the red as a third jersey this year and have worn them only a handful of times.
