Toronto Raptors should be ready to achieve historic win in Game 6

The Toronto Raptors can reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history with a win in Game 6 over the Milwaukee Bucks.

We have now reached uncharted territory with the Toronto Raptors considering they have a lead in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.

There were so many questions heading into the season after pulling off the blockbuster trade for Kawhi Leonard but most of them have been answered during this historic post-season run.

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Considering the heartbreak Raptors fans have experienced over the years, they have every reason to be jumping for joy at the chance to take on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Obviously, they need to handle business at home and the past couple of games should prove they are more than ready for that pressure.

Last season, it was hard to bet against the Raptors as the No.1 seed in the East but what happened? They got swept by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.

This time around, having Leonard put the Raptors in a different position because they have never had a player like him. How many times has he come away with a big shot or an important defensive play in the late stages of the game?

Nick Nurse decided to have Kawhi go up against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the results have shifted the series in the Raptors favour. Jonathan Tjarks of the Ringer wrote about the decision to move Kawhi on Giannis and how much of an impact it is having.

"“Giannis is shooting 11-for-31 from the field (35.5 percent) in the 131 possessions when Kawhi has been his primary defender. He’s not making many plays for his teammates (four assists and five turnovers) or getting to the foul line (three made free throws), either.”"

The important part is also how this assignment isn’t impacting Kawhi’s offensive contribution especially in Game 5 where he basically helped lead the Raptors in a back-and-forth fourth quarter.

This prompted Stephen A. Smith to basically retract what he had said about the Raptors chances in this series because he underestimated Leonard.

There will probably be fewer people doubting the Raptors ability to close this series out considering how they have pushed past the critics saying they were soft and couldn’t play on the Bucks’ level.

As long as the supporting cast of Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell and Serge Ibaka provide support behind the starters, it will be tough to see Milwaukee matching it considering how they have struggled to find their form from Game 2.

Do you think the Raptors can close out the series tonight? Let us know in the comments below.