The Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors will take place in the 2019 NBA final after the Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks 100-94 in the Eastern Conference sixth game at the Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Saturday (25/5).
Kawhi Leonard again became the star of the Raptors’ victory after scoring 27 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists in this match. In the camp there was Giannis Antetokounmpo as the highest number of points with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
“That means a lot. It took a long time to get here (NBA finals),” explained Kyle Lowry, post-match.
After beating the Bucks 4-2, this is the first time the Raptors have qualified for the NBA finals. Nick Nurse’s team will challenge the defending NBA Warriors in the last two seasons. The Warriors stepped into the NBA finals for five consecutive seasons after sweeping a 4-0 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference final.
The Raptors are undergoing the best season in the club’s 24-year history. Raptors supporters criticized club management after exchanging DeMar DeRozan with Leonard. However, the decision produced positive results. Every corner of the City of Toronto dissolves in the euphoria of the success of Raptors to win the trophy in the Eastern Conference final. Because the team from Canada needed 24 years to see their favorite team appear in the NBA Finals for the first time.
The Raptors themselves won in two meetings against the Warriors in this season’s regular season. The first meeting of the season took place in Toronto, 29 November 2018, when the Raptors won 131-128. While at the second meeting at Golden State, December 12, 2018, the Raptors won 113-93 over the Warriors.
The Warriors qualified to final after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers with a score of 119-117 in the Western Conference’s fourth final game at the Moda Center on Monday (20/5). As a result, the Warriors were 4-0 ahead of Portland in the final using the best of seven system.
The first 2019 NBA final game that uses best of seven will begin at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, on Thursday (30/5). The Warriors will not be strengthened by Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins in the first game due to injury.
This is the first final since 2014 without Cleveland Cavaliers. This is also the first final since 2010, without the presence of LeBron James basketball star who is currently defending the Los Angeles Lakers. Last year, Warriros won the 2018 NBA championship after beating Cavaliers 4-0. The small forward warriors, Kevin Durant, were named MVP last season
