The booing began in earnest about two minutes in yesterday, as the Washington Wizards got out to an 8-0 lead and the Toronto Raptors looked as lacklustre as they ever have.

The disgruntled patrons of the Air Canada Centre, some of whom even booed the pre-game introduction of coach Lenny Wilkens, were about to let the local heroes have it.

Then a funny thing happened. The Raptors competed. And the crowd roared.