Since 1993, Canada has not seen a major sports team win a title. Tonight, the Toronto Raptors took a giant leap towards a title with a 105-99 win over the Milwaukee Bucks to go up 3-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
In the NBA Playoffs, great teams show up at home and on the road during big games. Tonight, the Raptors won the biggest game in franchise history 105-99 over the Bucks in Game 5 to go up 3-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals with a chance at closing out the series at home on Saturday.
Toronto’s best player, Kawhi Leonard, continued his playoff mastery with 35 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. Fred VanVleet chipped in with 21 points while making seven three-pointers.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 24 points in a losing effort for the Bucks. After leading 2-0, the Bucks have lost a season-high three straight games and are on the brink of elimination as they head back to Toronto.
Many prominent Canadians and sports personalities are pumped about how close the Raptors are to winning a conference title and maybe playing in the NBA Finals.
The Raptors are ONE win away from their first ever NBA Finals! pic.twitter.com/e1XTTubwhO
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 24, 2019
@rachelbonnetta great win for Raptors! 😄 pic.twitter.com/siaVuc2nBG
— Ivan (@simplyivan09) May 24, 2019
We won on the road. WE WON ON THE ROAD!!!!!!!!!! Time to go home and finish this thing🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
— Rachel Bonnetta (@rachelbonnetta) May 24, 2019
Kawhi 15 of 35 in the 4th but this will forever be known as the Fred van Vleet game. 21 pts #WeTheNorth
— Adnan Virk (@adnansvirk) May 24, 2019
Wow @Bucks get beat at home / @FredVanVleet a difference maker as @Raptors up 3-2 / going home to win the @NBA East / simply Toronto’s bench outplays Bucks .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 24, 2019
Giddy up! https://t.co/SYmBLXEi3Y
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 24, 2019
So I guess the series has started now
— trey wingo (@wingoz) May 24, 2019
See a chug, send a chug ... MVP edition 🍺
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 24, 2019
(via @Bucks)https://t.co/AnZsCvZRrY
TOR did a great job w/ Giannis. Not that anyone can physically match him but at least Siakam can make it a little harder with his size. Kawhi may not look right but it doesn’t seem to matter. If Van Vleet goes 7-9 from 3 you’re probably going to win. TOR +12 in FT makes.
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) May 24, 2019
This Fun Guy was playing no games
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 24, 2019
Kawhi Leonard leads Raptors to 3-2 series lead
35 PTS | 7 REB | 9 AST | 2 STL pic.twitter.com/bWrf6zNt9G
For Toronto, tonight’s win could lead Canada to end its 26-year drought without success since the Toronto Blue Jays won the 1993 World Series. With one more win, the Raptors would meet the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, looking to be the first Canadian team to win an NBA title.