Toronto Raptors
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The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at Scotiabank Arena, which it shares with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team was founded in 1995 as part of the NBA's expansion into Canada, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies. Since the 2001–02 season, the Raptors have been the only Canadian-based team in the league, as the Grizzlies relocated from Vancouver to Memphis, Tennessee.
SkyDome, known as Rogers Centre since 2005, was the original venue for Raptors home games from 1995 to 1999
The Raptors moved to Scotiabank Arena (then known as Air Canada Centre) in 1999
Vince Carter, drafted fifth in the 1998 NBA draft, played his first six seasons in the NBA with the Raptors
A game between the Raptors and the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2004–05 season. The Raptors were moved to the NBA's Atlantic Division prior to the start of that season.
1998 NBA draft
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The 1998 NBA draft took place on June 24, 1998, at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This draft helped turn around four struggling franchises: the Dallas Mavericks, the Sacramento Kings, the Boston Celtics, and the Toronto Raptors.
Dirk Nowitzki was selected 9th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks (traded to the Dallas Mavericks).
Paul Pierce was selected 10th overall by the Boston Celtics.