By Andrew Rosario
It was all there for the Toronto Raptors to close out the Golden State Warriors and win the first NBA title outside of the United States. For the first time since Warriors Kevin Durant went down with his right calf injury more than a month ago, he would be in the starting lineup. From the start, Durant looked like he didn’t miss a beat. He hit his first 3-point attempts showing no signs of rust. Along with Stephen Curry (14 points) Durant added 11 for a 34-28 1st quarter lead.
Then, to the horror of the Warriors, Durant attempts to make a basketball move with 9:46 left in the second quarter and goes down clutching the same right ankle that sidelined him. Preliminary reports indicate a torn Achilles tendon. It could have deflated the Warriors as Toronto was now in the position to send them home, denying them a chance to win their third straight championship. But as they have done the past, Golden State showed they can win without Durant.
Curry put up 23 first half points for a 6 point (62-56) lead knowing they have owned the third quarter all postseason. As Toronto struggled from 3 point land (2-15) in the first half, the Warriors extended the lead (67-56) after a Klay Thompson trifecta. Toronto battled back with Fred Van Vleet hitting 3, 3 pointers narrowing the lead to 77-71. Curry and Thompson replied taking a 84-78 lead into the final quarter.
It was a frenzied quarter that saw Golden State’s Kawhi Leonard contribute on a 12-2 run to go up 103-97 putting the Warriors on the brink. The splash brothers hit back to back threes to tie the game at 103. Then Thompson puts them up for good with his final 3 pointer. Toronto had one last shot at winning the championship. Leonard gets double teamed and is forced to give up the ball. Kevin Lowry’s corner shot is partially blocked and the Warriors steal the game 106-105 keeping their three peat alive.
It was a bitter sweet victory knowing they have lost Durant for the rest of the series. They play game 6 tonight back in Golden State with a fan base that will be electric. Leonard is the only Toronto player with championship experience. They will be tested knowing if they lose, game 7 will be on their home floor Sunday night. Golden State will be playing for more than a championship. They will be playing for Kevin Durant.
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