NBA Playoffs: Toronto Raptors Outlast Milwaukee Bucks To Reach NBA Finals For The First Time

Milwaukee Bucks' race for the championship title has finally ended after straight four-game losses to Toronto Raptors which made history as the first Canadian side to reach the NBA finals. 

Bucks had drifted away with clean two-game lead before Raptors staged a comeback for a catch-up and blasted off to win the Eastern Conference finals with 100-96 in Game 6. Kawhi Leonard fired the team up for the victory with a game-high scoring of 27 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists whilst Bucks' star player Giannis Antetokounmpo notched up 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. 

Raptors head coach Nick Nurse heaped praises on Leonard whose effort delivered the victory to the team. He told reporters after that the 27-year-old forwards "inspired us tonight with monster rebounds" through the fateful night. 

From a sloppy startup in the first quarter, Raptors gradually trimmed down the 13-point deficit from the first to single digit of 43-50 in the second quarter. 

Bucks yet maintained control of the game with 72-58 points lead with 3.28 remaining in the third before Raptors upped their game for a rally, took the lead early in the fourth and retained control despite a fightback from Bucks.

Eventually, the Canadian side wrapped the game with Leonard scoring two free throws after Siakam Pascal scored a free throw with 7.0 second remaining. 

"Kawhi stays level-headed all the time," Kyle Lowry praised the forward "We beat a really good team in Milwaukee. But I'm not satisfied yet. Our goal is to win the NBA Championship. Lowry finished the game with 17 points, five rebounds, and eight assists
Raptors will host defending champions Golden State Warriors in the start off to the series on Friday 13th May.