Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia says Toronto's 1st round win 'like a dream'

The man who has supported the Toronto Raptors since day one says he is relieved and optimisticafter seeing the Dinos win a seven-game playoff series for the first time ever.

"I'm on cloud nine right now," Raptors fanatic NavBhatia told CBC Toronto anchor Mike Wise. "This was like a different feeling, you know. It was like a dream."

It's the first time Canada's lone NBA franchise haswon a playoff series since the Raptors beat the New York Knicksin a five-game series in 2001.

• Raptors triumph in Game 7 over Pacers, advance to 2nd round
• Raptors advance: What was happening the last time that happened?

However, it wasn't entirely smooth sailing in Toronto's Sunday night Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers. Toronto's lead was slipping away in the final quarter and moments were tense for all involved.

"I started praying a little bit at that time," Bhatia admitted. "And I'm glad the game ended. I was praying that the game doesn't get extended [into] overtime."

Bhatiahas been attending Raptors games since the team's inceptionin 1995 and has become a well-known figure for fellow fans and players. Hesays this is the first time he has felt this kind of positiveenergy in the post-season.

"Going into the second round, you're going to see that we are confident, that we can do it, that we havethemonkey off our back now."

Raptors guardDeMar DeRozanmade a similar reference to that metaphoricmonkey, which has haunted Toronto for years. In 2014, the Dinos lost in seven games of the opening roundto the Brooklyn Nets. A year later, they got swept by the Washington Wizards in four straight games.

'They're playing as a team'

Two straight years of losing in the first round of the NBA playoffs made this year a critical one for players and fans alike.Bhatia credits the influx of young talent such as Norman Powell and Cory Joseph for changing the dynamic of the roster.

"I believe the team has a good chemistry to themselves," he said. "They're playing as a team."

And before he left the Air Canada Centre following Toronto's 89-84 victory over Indiana, Bhatiashared a message to all of his fans on Facebook.

"Seeing the energy of the people, ofall the fans, was just a different level."

Bhatia hopes that passion continues as the Raptors tip off against the Miami Heat starting Tuesday at 8 p.m.in Toronto.