The Toronto Raptors become the first Canadian team to reach the NBA Finals with a 100-94 win over the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night. The Raptors went on a 26-3 run late in the 3rd quarter and early in the 4th quarter to take command in the Game 6 clincher.
"It's taken a long time to get here in my career, 13 years, seven years here," Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said. "I'm going to savour the moment, but I'm not satisfied. Our goal is to win the NBA championship."
Kawhi Leonard led the way with 27 points and 17 rebounds for the Raptors.
Golden State got past the Los Angeles Clippers 4-2, Houston Rockets 4-2, and Portland Trail Blazers 4-0 to advance to the NBA final.
The Raptors took both games with the California team in the regular season. Toronto won 131-128 in overtime at home on November 29. The Raptors won in Oakland 113-93 on December 12.
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Rogers Sportsnet will carry the odd numbered games while TSN carries the even numbered games. ABC will carry the whole NBA Finals in the United States.
This is Golden State's fifth straight trip to the NBA Finals. The team won the NBA title in 2015 and 2017-2018.
The Raptors are now the sixth team to win a conference final after losing the first 2 games.
Game 1 of the 2019 NBA Finals will start Thursday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
We will have much more in our NBA Finals preview on Thursday.
Toronto Raptors playoffs history
| 2019 | Milwaukee | 4-2 |
| 2019 | Philadelphia | 4-3 |
| 2019 | Orlando | 4-1 |
| 2018 | Cleveland | 0-4 |
| 2018 | Washington | 4-2 |
| 2017 | Cleveland | 0-4 |
| 2017 | Milwaukee | 4-2 |
| 2016 | Cleveland | 2-4 |
| 2016 | Miami | 4-3 |
| 2016 | Indiana | 4-3 |
| 2015 | Washington | 0-4 |
| 2014 | Brooklyn | 3-4 |
| 2008 | Orlando | 1-4 |
| 2007 | New Jersey | 2-4 |
| 2002 | Detroit | 2-3 |
| 2001 | Philadelphia | 3-4 |
| 2001 | New York | 3-2 |
| 2000 | New York | 0-3 |
photo credit: NBA/Rogers Sportsnet
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