Event of the Day: Toronto Raptors versus Golden State Warriors Game 5
Our event of the day is Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors at the Scotiabank Arena. The reigning champions find themselves in a win or go home situation with Toronto taking a surprise 3-1 lead into tonight’s crucial clash. For the Raptors, the match presents an opportunity to secure their first ever NBA title and they will hope to do just that in front of their raucous home crowd at the Scotiabank Arena this evening. Having never competed in an NBA Finals series before, many wrote the Raptors off before a ball was tipped in Game 1. However, the heroics of Kawhi Leonard and co. have quashed the champions’ hopes meaning they now need just one win from the possible three matches left to play. The aforementioned small forward has had an MVP-worthy series, dropping 30+ points in all but one of the meetings thus far. In total, Leonard has now registered 30 or more points in 14 matches this postseason – only three players in NBA history have recorded more 30+ games in one playoff campaign. He will hope to extend his extraordinary run of form tonight to deliver the Larry O’Brien trophy to the Raptors for the very first time.
Hoping to stop Leonard in his tracks will be the Golden State Warriors who more often that not find themselves on the right side of the 3-1 score line. In the three Finals series in which they have prevailed since 2015, they have lost a total of three matches. However, a rampant Raptors roster has proven too strong for the Warriors thus far and they now need a miracle if they are to secure their fourth title in five years. It has been evident that Golden State have struggled to manage their ongoing injury issues, particularly with all-star Kevin Durant missing for the whole series so far. As a result, added impetus has now been placed on Steph Curry’s shoulders to carry the point scoring load and if the Warriors are to pull off the impossible, expect fireworks from the 31-year-old in the final three meetings. Tonight should see an absolutely thrilling game of basketball.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Cricket World Cup as South Africa face the West Indies in the 15th match of the tournament at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The former are in desperate need of a spark to ignite their campaign having lost all three of their opening matches, whilst West Indies sit on one win and one loss meaning their hopes of progression are also hanging in the balance. Other honourable mentions go to the AFL as Collingwood take on Melbourne at the MCG. Having won seven of their last eight outings, Collingwood currently reside third in the standings and will be in search of an eighth win in nine today as they look to keep tabs on the top two. Elsewhere, the Euro 2020 qualification campaign continues today as Spain face Sweden at the Bernabeu whilst the Czech Republic host Montenegro at the Andruv Stadion in Olomouc. The Super Netball season is well and truly underway and there is a thrilling match to keep an eye on today as the Melbourne Vixens go in search of their fifth win of the season as they face Magpies Netball at the Melbourne Arena. There is also plenty of action in the MLB today, with the showpiece match being the LA Dodgers’ clash with local rivals the LA Angels at Angel Stadium. Finally, after an electrifying opening few days, the matches in the Women’s World Cup continue to come thick and fast as Argentina face Japan whilst Canada do battle with Cameroon.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by NBA