The Raptors’ Game 5 playoff game starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

Yup.

That’s right.

6 p.m.

As if the memory of their 100-83 Game 4 butt-kicking on Sunday from the Indiana Pacers isn’t tough enough to digest.

6 p.m.

Prime time for traffic chaos.

Not enough time to chill and have a relaxing pre-game meal for 9-5ers before the stomach-churning rubber match, with things locked at 2-2 in the best-of-seven series.

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Calling the shots are the gods of television, who have decreed that there should be a basketball playoff double-header, with the Celtics-Hawks playoff game starting at 8:30 pm on Tuesday.

Toronto Star basketball savant Doug Smith offers fans two alternatives when tweeting of the early start: “Raps-Pacers Game 5 is 6 p.m. Tues. With 2 games in East, it was 6 or 8:30. They got 6. Deal with it. Or don’t”

Raptors fans irate over 6 p.m. Game 5 start time

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But there’s still hope — if fans can convince their bosses to cut them loose.

The Raptors have released a permission slip, asking teachers and managers to spring free supporters to cheer on Toronto.

“As you know I’m sure, _____________ is an integral part of our team and we need all hands on deck tonight for Game 5,” reads the note, signed by general manager Masai Ujiri.

Good luck with that, Raptors fans.

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