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Raptors become first Canadian team to capture NBA title

Published

5 years ago

on

For the first time in NBA history, the Larry O’Brien Trophy is heading north of the border.

The Toronto Raptors officially won the 2019 NBA championship after defeating the Golden State Warriors 114-110 in a thrilling Game 6 at Oracle Arena.

After a back-and-forth first half, the Warriors appeared to be gaining some momentum in the third quarter until Klay Thompson suffered a knee injury when he landed after a dunk attempt contested by Danny Green. Thompson shot his two free throws and left the game for good. The team later confirmed he sustained a torn left ACL, which will likely keep him out of action for the majority of 2019/2020.

The fourth quarter wasn’t pretty offensively, but Fred Van Vleet kept the Raptors alive with a couple of clutch three-pointers, and the Raptors were finally able to put the game away in the final minute thanks to some clutch defense, a Pascal Siakam jumper, and Kawhi Leonard’s free throws.

Kawhi Leonard wasn’t at his best, but managed to finish the game with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists in 41 minutes, and won his second career NBA Finals MVP to go along with his second NBA title.

“This is what I play basketball for…his is what I work out for.” said Leonard after the game.

His teammate Kyle Lowry also praised him for his incredible performances throughout the 2019 postseason.

“I think he’s the best two-way basketball player in the NBA,” said Lowry.

“He just goes. You know, I’ve seen some stuff from him this year that you just say, ‘Wow.’ You do. You say, ‘Wow.’ You appreciate the work that he’s put in. He works extremely hard at his game and works extremely hard on his body. And he loves this basketball thing. Loves it.”

The team apparently celebrated with a trip to Las Vegas, and will hold their championship parade in Toronto starting at 10am/ET on Monday.

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Basketball

Jimmy Butler has chance to send Heat to Finals, can’t deliver after clanking wide open three off front of rim

Published

2 years ago

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May 30, 2022

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The Miami Heat were so close to competing the comeback and heading off the NBA Finals.

They were down by two and had possession with less than 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Instead of managing the clock and waiting as long as possible to get a shot off, Butler tried to take advantage of having a wide open shot and fired off a transition three with no defenders around him with still 17 seconds left. Unfortunately for the Heat, Butler simply didn’t get enough lift into the shot and clanked it off the front of the rim.

By the end of it all, Celtics won by four and find themselves off to the next round while the Heat are forced to reminisce over what went wrong.

Did Jimmy make the right decision? Watch the video below and let us know what you think!

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Basketball

Raptors forward Pascal Siakam selected to All-NBA third team

Published

3 years ago

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May 25, 2022

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Pascal Siakam accomplished something that not a lot of players that failed to make the All-Star team can do.

The Toronto Raptors forward was officially selected to the 2022 edition of the All-NBA third team after receiving 42 third-team votes and seven second-team votes.

The 28-year old played exceptional on both ends of the floor, and bounced back after a rough pandemic-shortened campaign in Tampa Bay. He averaged 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists through 68 games in 2021/22.

Siakam is just the third player in franchise history to receive the honour (Vince Carter, DeMar DeRozan). It marks the second time in his career he was selected to an All-NBA team. He was previously selected to an All-NBA second team after an impressive All-Star season in 2019/2020.

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Basketball

Award-winning rapper J. Cole will be playing basketball in Canada this summer

Published

3 years ago

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May 20, 2022

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J-Cole wants to prove to everybody that he is more than just a rapper. He is also an aspiring basketball player and will get to play professionally north of the border.

The Grammy-winning artist has reportedly signed a contract to play for Canadian basketball team Scarborough Shooting Stars of the
Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).

The 37-year old previously played basketball in Africa last May with
Patriots Basketball Club of the Basketball Africa League, but left after just three games due to “family obligations”.

The Shooting Stars will open their season against the Guelph Nighthawks on May 26.

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