Raptors fail to sell out home game for first time in 5 years
For a team that started out playing in the SkyDome and selling tickets at drugstores, having over five years of consecutive home sellouts is impressive, but it can’t last forever.
Sunday’s contest between the Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz marked the first time since Nov. 11, 2014, that Scotiabank Arena (formerly Air Canada Centre) was not sold out.
If you're scoring at home, the #Raptors' streak of consecutive home sellouts ended tonight after 245 games (incl. playoffs) as they drew 18,132 against Utah on a snowy, icy evening. Franchise-record streak began Nov. 11, 2014, a 104-100 win over Orlando.
— Ian Harrison (@iananywhere) December 2, 2019
With below-zero temperatures and a mix of freezing rain and snow, the Raptors had some absences in the stands against the Jazz.
Two hundred and forty-five games — including the run to become 2019 NBA champions — is a hefty streak, but not close to the top of the list for the NBA.
From 1977 to 1995, the Portland Trail Blazers held a streak of 845 consecutive home sellouts. A 1977 championship headlined by Bill Walton sure carried them a far way into the record books.
The Raptors destroyed the Jazz 130-110, so it definitely wasn’t the potential matchup on the court that kept some fans away.
Toronto earned its 15th win of the season and is second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-4.
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