(April 20, 2007) - The Toronto Raptors will rollout the red carpet for basketball fans Saturday as they get ready to play the New Jersey Nets in Round 1 of the 2007 NBA Playoffs.

Fans attending Raptors playoff home games are encouraged to arrive early and follow the Raptor Claws from Union Station into Air Canada Centre’s Galleria (outside of Gate 1) and enjoy the many pregame festivities. Face painting, BMO Fan Zone interactive games and poster making will be just some of activities taking place.

There will also be opportunities to win tickets to the Raptors second playoff home game from the Toronto Sun. Local band Matisse and the Playground will entertain Raptors fans during the pregame festivities. Fans can also meet members of the AXE Raptors Dance Pak and The Raptor mascot, voted Best Mascot 2006 by Gameops.com.

All Raptors fans are encouraged to wear red to show their support for Canada’s Basketball Team. All 19,800 attendees to Saturday’s soldout game will receive a “Let’s Go Red. Let’s Go Raptors” t-shirt sponsored by McDonald’s and a Raptors Cheer Card from the Toronto Sun.

The Toronto Raptors begin the 2007 NBA Playoffs after a stellar regular season finishing first in the Atlantic Division with a 47-35 record. Game 1 Tip Off against the Nets is 12:30 p.m. at Air Canada Centre.