This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
June 2, 2019, marked a historic day in Toronto as the city's NBA team, the Toronto Raptors, hosted the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena.
With the Warriors' roster plagued by injuries, the Raptors emerged as a serious championship contender, thanks in large part to the indefatigable performance of Kawhi Leonard.
The series had already seen fireworks in Toronto, with the Raptors winning the first game, and nothing was expected to be different in Game 5. The Raptors' hometown fans were eager to see their team declare their footprint in the NBA league of champions.
However, the return of Kevin Durant in the Warriors' lineup posed a significant challenge for the Raptors. Durant's athletic abilities were limitless, and his ability to block shots, combined with his shooting range, made him a formidable opponent.
Steph Curry and Durant were enough to give the Raptors a run for their money, and the game would be a defining moment in the series. The Raptors were looking to wrap up the series and avoid going back to the Oracle Arena, while the Warriors were willing to add their name to the list of comeback stories.
The compositing of the two teams' rosters was also an interesting aspect of the game. The Raptors appeared to be a combination of an NBA international team, with players from eight different countries, including the U.S., Canada, Spain, Britain, Cameroon, Congo, Australia, and Sweden.
On the other hand, the Golden State Warriors were composed largely of United States players, including Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, and Klay Thompson. It was also worth noting that Steph Curry's wife, Ayesha Curry, was from Toronto.
