Raptors Coach Darko Rajaković Says Win Over Pacers Earned Team A Pizza Party

The Toronto Raptors might look like fully mature adults when they play games, but they’re really just kids at heart.

Last night, the NBA’s only Canadian team defeated the Indiana Pacers 130-122 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. On the surface, the win wasn’t all that significant. It put the Raptors at 22-36 for the season, and they’re still 3.5 games out of a play-in tournament spot.

But as soon as the final buzzer sounded, everyone on the bench, including Darko Rajaković, were all smiles. 

I get it, you end your Monday with a win on the road over a team that currently holds a playoff spot. That would make anyone happy. But what was all that "pizza party" from the commentators? Is that why Rajaković was a little extra happy?

Turns out, it was. 

The head coach confirmed after the game that this win was a little extra special for Toronto. Last night’s win over Indiana was Toronto’s third in a row, which was their first three-game win streak of the season. As such, that meant it was time for the coach to make good on a promise of his.

"The story goes that I promised the guys early in the season that once we get three wins in a row that I take them to a nice dinner," Rajaković said after the game. "But since we have such a group of humble guys, they're just like, 'We don't need any fancy place. We can go for pizza.' We're going to negotiate where we're going to go, but I'll treat them to dinner for sure."

It doesn't sound like there's much negotiating to do. If the players want pizza, that's what they should get. 

As it turns out, the Raptors really don’t need to be motivated by bonuses or new cars. All you need to do is bribe them with pizza (just like young kids), and they’ll rattle off wins like it's nothing!

The only question that is left to be answered (besides where it is, so I can join) is whether Rajaković thinks pineapple belongs on pizza.

"Noooooo," he said emphatically. Apparently, he only likes Margarita pizza.

Forget everything I just said, call the whole thing off. The Raptors should have to have a separate three-game win streak to get their party for that comment alone.