Toronto Raptors defied all odds to claim their maiden NBA Championship with a 114-110 victory in Game 6 to take a 4-2 series triumph over favourites and the 2-time defending champion, the Golden State Warriors. Few would have seen this coming, probably Drake and a just a handful die-hard Raptors fans, but the Raptors did it, not without a stroke of good fortune on their path and misfortune on the path of their opponent, Golden State Warriors who were ravaged by injuries to key players.
Once the Raptors had claimed a 3-1 series lead, it was always going to be a daunting task for the Warriors playing catch-up. The Warriors were never at full strength throughout the playoffs till the final, with injuries at some point or the other to the likes of Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala, starman Kevin Durant and then DeMarcus Cousins was never really the same player since his return from a torn left quad.
The Raptors drew the series' 1st blood with Game 1 victory, winning 118-109 at home, but like a warrior, the Golden State Warrior fought back to take the next Game 109-104 on the road. However, Raptors did the unthinkable, taking the next 2 games at the Oracle Arena, 123-109 & 105-92 respectively to take the series lead 3-1 and be on the brink of a historical NBA final triumph. But then, a surprise return of Kevin Durant for Game 5 which was short-lived, as Durant lasted just the 1st quarter and 3 minutes of the 2nd quarter, however, his presence may have boosted his teammate's morale as they went on without him to narrowly win Game 5 106-105. Nevertheless, there was no denying the Raptors of the glory, as they seal the series 4-2, with a Game 6 hard-fought 114-110 win.
It was a close Game 6 contest, right from the 1st quarter, the Raptors raced to an 8-0 lead through Kyle Lowly, but the Warriors gradually claw their way back into the game, as the quarter ended 33-32 to the Raptors. It was a see-saw game from then on, as the lead kept exchanging hands several times. Klay Thompson in the thick of things for the Warriors, while Kawhi Leonard was also up and running for the Raptors, as the Raptors still edged the 2nd quarters 60-57. The Raptors were destined for victory, as Golden State Warriors leading scorer with 30 points, Klay Thompson left the court injured with about 2 minutes of the 3rd quarter remaining, Warriors did manage to overtake the Raptors though, ending the quarter with an 88-86 lead. However, the loss of Klay Thompson in the Warrior's rank proved crucial in the 4th and final quarter, as the Raptors regained the lead through a Fred VanVleet jump shot with less than 4 minutes to play, and the Raptors never relinquish the lead, closing up the game 114-110, for a famous win.
Pascal Siakem and Kyle Lowry both recorded 26 points for the Raptors, with Kawhi Leonard and Fred VanVleet adding further 22 points each. Serge Ibaka(15 points) and Marc Gasol(3 points) also got on the scoreboard for the Raptors. Warriors' Klay Thompson led the way with 30 points before getting injured, Andre Iguodala(22 points), DeMarcus Cousins(12 points) and Draymond Green(11 points) all in double figures, but wasn't enough for the Warriors.
The Golden State Warriors will not be defending the NBA Championship for a 3rd successive year, no thanks to the Toronto Raptors, who won the NBA finals for the 1st time in their history. More worrying for the Warriors is the talisman Kevin Durant may be out of the entirety of the next NBA season.
Is this the end of the Golden State Warriors' dynasty? or An injury free next season will propel the Warriors back to the summit of NBA dominance?
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