TORONTO -- A city in love.
An NBA Finals run has become old hat for the Bay Area locals. Passion, rings and championship parades are expected, not a mere dream, for the Warriors.
But Raptors fans started lining up early Thursday for the team’s first NBA Finals game in franchise history. They arrived so early that the team caged in the group in hopes of controlling the tens of thousands expected outside Scotiabank Arena, in what is known as Jurassic Park.
With our All Access Daily newsletter, stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams!
SIGN UP HERE These fans aren't even part of the 20,000 paying customers that will pack the arena for the 9 p.m. ET tip-off.
Toronto is alive with Raptors mania. You can’t walk five feet down a crowded sidewalk without spotting a Kawhi Leonard or Kyle Lowry jersey.
Hundreds of fans lined the streets seven or eight rows deep to boo the Warriors as they came out their team hotel and loaded into the team bus. To the casual passer-by, it looked like Elvis was about to make an appearance, or at least Canadian legend Bryan Adams.
Golden State Warriors
Find the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
Cars draped with giant purple Raptors flags could be seen on the street. Even a former player showed up to support the city that cheered him on in the past.
“Man, it means a lot, the history of the game, the history of the organization, the Raptors, being a former Raptor, it’s just awesome to participate and be a part of it and support the guys on the court now,” former player Jerome Williams told NBC Sports Bay Area as he stood outside the arena.
Known as the Junkyard Dog, Williams played parts of four seasons in Toronto, from 2000 to 2004. He was a relentless player and a huge fan favorite.
“It would be ground-breaking [if the Raptors won the championship],” Williams added as fans chanted “JYD! JYD! JYD!” “Championship trophies are hard to come by. And when you win one, that’s a lot of respect. For years and years, it’s a lot of respect.”
Outside, a sea of fans are expected to watch the action on huge television screens in an open courtyard. The team handed out red Raptors backpacks filled with rally towels and Google minis.
[RELATED: How to watch Warriors-Raptors Game 1]
Inside the arena, every seat is covered with a black Raptors T-shirt.
Win or lose, expect Toronto to enjoy the ride. They’ve waited 24 years to host a NBA Finals game, and it’s clear the city has Raptors fever.