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Tim BontempsESPN
The Raptors will continue to play at home in Tampa, Florida for the remainder of the 2020-21 NBA season, citing border restrictions and “taking into account public safety measures” in Toronto as factors preventing them from returning home to play. at any time this season.
“Florida has been very welcoming and we are very grateful for the hospitality we found in Tampa and Amalie. [Arena] – We live in a city of champions and we intend to continue the tradition of winning for our new friends and fans, ”Raptors president Masai Ujiri said on Thursday.
“But at home is where the heart is and our hearts are in Toronto. We often think of our fans, our Scotiabank Arena family and all those we miss at home, and we can’t wait until we can all be together again “.
The Raptors spent weeks before the season working with the city of Toronto to try to find a way to play at home, and eventually had to move to the United States.
At the time, the Raptors said they hoped to be able to return to Toronto sometime later in the season, and said the decision to move to Tampa only materialized during the first half of the season.
Thursday became official throughout the season.
The Toronto Blue Jays baseball went through a similar process last summer, negotiating to play home games before finishing moving to Buffalo, New York, for the 2020 season.
After starting the season 2-8, the Raptors have gone 10-5 since then and have a 6-5 mark at Amalie Arena. They have a chance to get to .500 Thursday night when they visit the Boston Celtics.