For the first time, the NBA has a champion who is not from the United States. In a game that ended early Friday, Canada’s Toronto Raptors beat California’s Golden State Warriors 114-110, at their rival’s home in Oakland, closing out the series 4-2.

As in previous games, the duel was balanced. However, unlike the other five clashes in the final, the teams took turns leading the score, with more than 20 lead changes and without opening up a big advantage (after the second quarter, never more than six points). And, for a change, the ending was dramatic, with the result open until the last seconds.

Warriors and wounds

Looking for their fourth title in five years, the Golden State Warriors took the court looking for victory. And he once again regretted the injury of an important player at an acute moment of the match. Klay Thompson, the team’s best shooter in Game 6, after a layup late in the third quarter, collided with Danny Green and fell awkwardly, injuring his knee.

Thompson returned to take the free kick he suffered during the game, but returned to the locker room and did not return to the game. At that point, the score was 85-80 for the Warriors (the team’s biggest advantage).

A decisive basket

In the last quarter, with a close score, the match continued with its twists and turns and gaps of three points maximum. That was until Vanvleet hit a three that made it 106-101 for the Raptors, a small, decisive difference in the final moments.

The last 45 seconds

The season had to end spectacularly and the final moments confirmed it. When DeMarco Cousins ​​​​made a one-point layup for the Warriors (109 to 108), Toronto recovered the basket with Pascal Siakam with 26 seconds left (111 to 108). But Curry. on free throws 18 seconds from the end, he once again leaves the score with a minimal difference (111 to 110).

And the Warriors had a golden opportunity to win the game and make the decision for Game 7 when, with nine seconds left, Danny Green (terrible on the court and zero for the Raptors) threw a ball and gave the house the opportunity. The team makes one last attack, with 5 seconds remaining.

Unfortunately for the Oakland team, Stephen Curry missed an easy basket, confirming that their moment is not the best. The Raptors had to close the score at 114-110 and throw a Canadian celebration.

Warrior numbers
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Draymond Green left the court with a triple double, 11 points, 13 assists and 19 rebounds, being the Warriors’ most consistent player in the Finals. The scorer, even if he did not play in the last quarter, was Klay Thompson, with 30 points (four three-pointers). Star Stephen Curry was below his average, with 21 points.

Raptor number
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Kawhi Leonard, who was the MVP of the Finals, this time scored 22 points and was not Toronto’s scorer. This status went to the duo Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam. Both with 26 points and double-doubles (Siakam with 10 rebounds and Lowry with ten assists).

Raptors 100% in Oakland

A curiosity. In this final, out of the six games, only one of them resulted in a victory for the home team: the Raptors in the first game. In addition: the Toronto team has played four times at the Warriors:. One in the regular season and three in the final. Toronto has won them all.

Kawhi Leonard makes history

Finals MVP when he defended the San Antonio Spurs, Kawhi Leonard was again the 2018/19 Finals MVP. He is only the second player to be the best in the finals of different teams. The other is LeBron James.

Goodbye Oracle

The game that defined the NBA title was also the last played at Oracle Arena, Golden State’s home for 47 years. From now on, the franchise will play its games at the Bay Arena. The fact is that the stadium is in San Francisco, separated from Oakland by a bridge and historically a rival city.