Raptors beat Warriors to clinch first NBA title

Jun 14, 2019 01:08 pm

The Toronto Raptors captured their first NBA crown on Friday morning (June 14, Singapore time), defeating Golden State Warriors 114-110 to become the first league champion from outside the United States by dethroning the defending title-holders.

Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam each scored 26 points while Kawhi Leonard and reserve Fred VanVleet each added 22 as Toronto won the best-of-seven series 4-2.

The Raptors became the first Canadian club to win a major North American sports title since the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays captured Major League Baseball’s World Series.

Klay Thompson scored 30 points to lead the Warriors, but left the game with a left knee injury late in the third quarter after landing awkwardly on his left leg.

Injury-hit Golden State was already without two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant, who returned in Game 5 on Monday after being sidelined for a month, only to suffer a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

Andre Iguodala added 22 points for the Warriors, Stephen Curry had 21 and Draymond Green contributed 11 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists.

Golden State had a final shot to win trailing 111-110, but Curry missed a three-pointer and Green called a timeout when the team had none, setting up three final free-throws by Leonard to seal the victory.

Leonard was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career after the first in 2014 with San Antonio. – AFP