Raptors Looking To Secure First Ever NBA Title
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors play host to the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, at Scotiabank Arena on Monday evening.
After winning two straight games at Oracle Arena, the Raptors return home with a 3-1 series lead and a chance to secure their franchise first NBA Championship. The series looked like it could go either way after the Warriors stole Game 2 in Toronto. However, the Raptors were able to take advantage of a Warriors team that was missing not only Kevin Durant, but also Klay Thompson in Game 3. Despite Thompson returning for Game 4, the Raptors were able to nab a second straight win on the road and take the commanding series lead.
Kevin Durant (calf) has missed the entire series so far, but has been upgraded to questionable leading into Game 5. Stephen Curry came up huge with a 47-point performance in the Warriors' Game 1 loss and has been consistent throughout the series. Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins all came up big in the Warriors' Game 2 win, but the squad has not been able to stand up to the depth of the Raptors over 48 minutes.
The Raptors are doing a good job defensively, as they held the Warriors, who are averaging 114.8 points per game in the postseason, to 109 points in each of the first three games, and then to just 92 points in Game 4. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard continues his incredible postseason, averaging 31.1 points per game in the playoffs. Kyle Lowry has stepped up in a major way to give the Raptors the edge they need, while supporting players including Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol have all had major impacts leading to wins for their team. Last but not least, Pascal Siakam has emerged as a major x-factor for Toronto, as he has topped 18 points in each Raptors win, including a game-high 32 points in Game 1.
The Raptors have a chance to secure their first NBA Championship on their home court with a win in Game 5, while the Warriors will be fighting for their playoff lives and a chance to move towards their third straight championship. Either way, the result will be historic.
After winning two straight games at Oracle Arena, the Raptors return home with a 3-1 series lead and a chance to secure their franchise first NBA Championship. The series looked like it could go either way after the Warriors stole Game 2 in Toronto. However, the Raptors were able to take advantage of a Warriors team that was missing not only Kevin Durant, but also Klay Thompson in Game 3. Despite Thompson returning for Game 4, the Raptors were able to nab a second straight win on the road and take the commanding series lead.
Kevin Durant (calf) has missed the entire series so far, but has been upgraded to questionable leading into Game 5. Stephen Curry came up huge with a 47-point performance in the Warriors' Game 1 loss and has been consistent throughout the series. Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins all came up big in the Warriors' Game 2 win, but the squad has not been able to stand up to the depth of the Raptors over 48 minutes.
The Raptors are doing a good job defensively, as they held the Warriors, who are averaging 114.8 points per game in the postseason, to 109 points in each of the first three games, and then to just 92 points in Game 4. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard continues his incredible postseason, averaging 31.1 points per game in the playoffs. Kyle Lowry has stepped up in a major way to give the Raptors the edge they need, while supporting players including Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol have all had major impacts leading to wins for their team. Last but not least, Pascal Siakam has emerged as a major x-factor for Toronto, as he has topped 18 points in each Raptors win, including a game-high 32 points in Game 1.
The Raptors have a chance to secure their first NBA Championship on their home court with a win in Game 5, while the Warriors will be fighting for their playoff lives and a chance to move towards their third straight championship. Either way, the result will be historic.