Raptors’ coach will carry Nonna’s good-luck charm in tonight’s game
Posted May 27, 2016 2:30 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Toronto Raptors will have a special good-luck charm with them when they take the court against the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night.
As we already know, it was Stella Aquisto’s Nonna who helped the Raps win games 3 and 4 against LeBron James and the Cavaliers earlier this week. She removed the malocchio that had been cursing the team, and they responded with one-sided victories Saturday and Monday night at the Air Canada Centre.
But it wasn’t enough to help the team when they went back to unfriendly confines of Cleveland for Game 5.
So for tonight’s game, coach Dwane Casey will be carrying Nonna’s corno, used by Italians to ward off the malocchio.
On Friday morning, Stella gave the corno to coach Casey, who said he’ll be carrying it in his pocket when the team plays Friday night.
“Any divine intervention we can have, we’ll take it,” Casey said.
According to Italian folklore, the corno, or horn, which resembles a chili pepper, is used to ward off evil spirits. The tradition evolved from Old Europe when the horned animal (the moon goddess) was considered sacred.
In some instances, the horn has become a symbol of Italian pride.
The corno Casey will be carrying came straight from Nonna’s car, where she had been using it to keep evil spirits (and accidents) away. She was willing to make the sacrifice to help the Raptors, who are trying to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in team history.
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