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Toronto Raptors: 4 Ways the NBA Finals Could End

By Go Paolo

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2018 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2018 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Raptors Outlast Warriors in Drama-Filled Finale

Finally, the Warriors meet their match. And finally, everyone gets an NBA Finals worth watching.

Toronto (and Drake) takes over entering the series. Jurassic Park is even louder and crazier, the Scotiabank Arena is set to explode, and the entire nation of Canada breaks the TV ratings they just set five days ago.

It’s Game 1 between the Raptors and Warriors.

Like a bad memory, the ghosts of Game 1 rear their heads as the Warriors quickly build a big lead against Toronto. The Raptors appear tighter. They don’t show it, but they are more nervous than usual.

Leonard once again puts the team on his back and gets Toronto within single digits of the Warriors. But that’s as close as they get as Golden State takes Game 1.

The Raptors come out of Game 2 with more urgency. Firing on all cylinders and being more energetic on the defensive side, Toronto forces Golden State to commit turnovers and locks down their shooting. They even the series 1-1 despite Cousins’ return.

Back to Oakland, the Warriors get Durant back albeit in a limited capacity. The addition of Durant allows them to play at a different speed as they match Toronto’s halfcourt pace. Durant also plays Leonard well as the Warriors win Game 3 comfortably.

With their backs against the wall, Toronto again plays with more fire as they lock down the Warriors. Curry goes cold leaving Durant and Thompson to carry Golden State, but it isn’t enough as the Raptors steal Game 4 and even things up again.

Back in Toronto for Game 5, the Warriors retaliate and come off the gates hot. Curry, who has been quiet for most of the series blows up and the Raptors fail to keep up. They get iced at home and are on the verge heading to Oakland.

On the face of elimination, Toronto rallies in Oakland and fight Golden State tooth-and-nail. The game goes back-and-forth with several lead changes. Just when the Warriors pull away, Toronto comes right back.

The game heads to double overtime with several key players on both sides fouling out. But Danny Green, after having fallen out of the rotation, comes back to hit clutch threes as the Raptors stun Golden State and force a Game 7.

Next. Raptors Roundtable: NBA Finals Edition. dark

It’s more of the same in Game 7 as the Raptors and Warriors exchange leads and go on separate runs. But in the fourth, Leonard takes over and puts the Raptors ahead. Curry misses the go-ahead basket as and the Raptors clinch their first NBA Championship!

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