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Watch: Norman Powell lines up on wrong side of tip-off vs. Raptors

Norman Powell desperately wanted to stay with the Toronto Raptors ahead of the trade deadline and that remained evident Sunday night.

Powell, who was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers, accidentally lined up with his former teammates during the opening tip of Sunday's Raptors-Blazers contest.

If this was a bit, it's perfect comedic timing from Powell that Raptors fans have come to expect during his six seasons with the franchise. If it wasn't – and we tend to think it was unintentional, based on his reaction – then evidently, old habits die hard!

Powell spoke to Toronto and Portland media on Friday night, bidding an emotional farewell to the franchise that saw him grow from unheralded second-round pick to a key component of the most successful era in Raptors history.

The 27-year-old made an immediate impact in his Portland debut Friday against the Orlando Magic, scoring 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting, going 5-of-7 from three, while adding two steals and two rebounds in a 112-105 victory.

It's admittedly weird seeing Powell in a different uniform, especially one as bland as Portland's alternates – their regular colour scheme is one of the league's best, but we're getting off track here! Eventually, it will feel normal enough but for one night only, Powell briefly thought he was still with the Raptors, and we can't exactly fault him.

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