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Raptors GM writes 'leave work early' note for fans ahead of Game 5

Dan Devine
·Senior NBA writer

Game 5 of the first-round series between the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers is a really important game because Indy tied the best-of-seven up at two games apiece on Saturday, and because NBA teams that win Game 5 have gone on to win the series 85 percent of the time (and nearly 89 percent of the time in the opening round of the postseason). Despite the significant stakes of the contest, though, Game 5 will tip off at the odd hour of 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday night, thanks to the Cleveland Cavaliers sweeping the Detroit Pistons, the presence of another Eastern time zone game — Game 5 between the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics — and the vicissitudes of the schedule:

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The early start time isn't exactly ideal for fans who will have to hustle from work through rush-hour traffic to get set up before game time, whether at Air Canada Centre, at the massive outdoor watch party in Maple Leaf Square (a.k.a. "Jurassic Park") or in front of their televisions at home. Ever intent on aiding and abetting the fanaticism of Torontonians, Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri did his part to help out those hoping to get an early start on the commute by knocking off work a bit prematurely, following in the footsteps of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban by publishing the following letter for Raps fans to submit to their supervisors with hope in their eyes and a smile on their faces:

To whom it may concern,

With the busy NBA Playoffs schedule, we have to start work earlier than usual tonight. 6PM Eastern in fact.

As you know I'm sure, ____________ is an integral part of our team and we need all hands on deck tonight for Game 5.

So I'm personally asking for your help by excusing ____________ early so they can be ready in time, either in the stands at Air Canada Centre, outside in the Square or tuning in from home, showing the world who we are.

Thanks for doing your part.

We The North!

Masai

Whether or not Toronto's employers allow ____________ to play hooky, the Raptors will need significantly stronger performances from All-Star guards Kyle Lowry (shooting just 32.2 percent from the field and 18.5 percent from 3-point land through four games) and DeMar DeRozan (an even more dismal 29.6 percent from the floor on nearly 18 attempts per game) to defend home court, get back on the good foot, and draw within one win of reaching the postseason's second round for the first time in 15 years. I'm not sure Masai's got a form letter up his sleeve that'll shake his backcourt out of its doldrums, but hey, this is the playoffs — firing one off couldn't hurt.

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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at devine@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!

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