The Toronto Raptors have made NBA history by winning Game 6 of the Finals Thursday night, marking the first time a Canadian team has won the championship.
The Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors 114-110 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.
“Canada, we brought it home, baby. Canada, we brought it home,” Kyle Lowry emphatically said after the team was presented with the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy.
READ MORE: Klay Thompson leaves Game 6 with apparent knee injury
Kawhi Leonard, who scored 22 points in Game 6, was named Finals MVP.
Toronto had a strong first quarter and at one point led it by nine points. Kyle Lowry sunk four three-pointers and Pascal Siakam another two. Despite rotating leads in the second quarter, the Raptors went into the half leading 60-57.
As the Warriors took a lead in the third quarter, Klay Thompson — who scored 30 points — suffered an apparent knee injury. He was briefly assessed by doctors before returning to the court to shoot two free throws on a foul, but left right after for further assessment. Toronto and Golden State were neck and neck in the remaining quarter, but the Raptors came out on top.
NBA Finals: Toronto Raptors presented with NBA championship trophy
NBA Finals: Toronto Raptors presented with NBA championship trophy
In the end, the Raptors showed a stronger offensive effort in Game 6. Toronto scored 12 three-pointers — two more than scored throughout Game 5. Golden State scored 10.
Lowry ended up scoring 26 points while Siakam got 26 points. Fred VanVleet scored 22 points.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr congratulated the Raptors on their win Thursday night.
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“They’re a fantastic basketball team — great defensively, they share the ball, play a beautiful style, a lot of great two-way players,” he said.
“Winning a championship is an ultimate in this league and they’ve got a lot of guys who’ve earned this. So congrats to Toronto, to their organization, to their fans — they are a worthy champion.”
Thursday’s win caps a stunning playoff run for the Raptors. Toronto defeated the Orlando Magic, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks to face off in the Finals against the two-time defending champions.
Since the beginning of the 2018-19 season, Raptors President Masai Ujiri set the lofty goal of securing the top NBA title. The acquired Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs along with Danny Green in exchange for DeMar DeRozan. Marc Gasol was later added to the roster at the trade deadline in February.
Thousands of fans who attended Jurassic Park and surrounding streets outside the arena took over the streets in celebration of the Raptors. People could be seen on vehicles and climbing signs.
Other cities in Ontario, such as Mississauga, Barrie, Kitchener, Burlington, and in Canada held viewing parties on Thursday and throughout the NBA Finals. sorce: globalnews