The Raptors did it. After being down two games to zero to the Milwaukee Bucks, the best team in the league record-wise, Toronto turned the series around in dramatic fashion. Decked out in “We the North” t-shirts given away at their home games, the only Canadian NBA franchise won four straight games to advance to he organization’s first NBA Finals. After the game, Raptors fans saw their players celebrating with their “Ran the East” t-shirts on.

To Run the East, Raps Put Giannis in the Corner

The deeper a team advances into the NBA Playoffs, not only does it become more important that the players on the roster have some postseason experience, but it’s just as critical that the team, players and coaching staff make the right adjustments to ensure their team the best chances of winning.

After losing the first two games of the series to the Bucks, the Raptors changed up their defense in a couple significant ways that ultimately made the difference.

First the Raps placed Kawhi Leonard on the the Bucks superstar and likely-league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. As great as an individual defender as Leonard is, he was very much supported by a defensive scheme that called on the entire Raptors team to form a human wall between The Greek Freak and the basket. This not only served to slow down Giannis, but caused him to turn over the ball.

And with that, along with some great play from supporting players Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, Serge Ibaka and Drake, the Raptors won the Eastern Conference Finals 4-2 in a confident fashion. Speaking of winning the Eastern Conference, here’s the locker room t-shirts you saw the Raptors wearing after their 100-94 closeout win. Take a look at these official 2019 Toronto Raptors Eastern Conference Champions Ran the East t-Shirts created by Fanatics and available at the NBAStore.com.

The Toronto Raptors Ran the East T-Shirt

Toronto Raptors NBA Finals Adjustable Cap/Hat

Women’s Toronto Raptors Ran the East T-Shirt

Toronto Raptors Ran the East Long Sleeve Shirt

So What Chances Do the Toronto Raptors Have Against Golden State

As daunting as it must be to face the Golden State Warriors, how should the Raptors feel going into the NBA Finals? Sure Caesars Sportsbook, CBS Sportsline, www.sportsbook-duel.com, The Action Network and every last one of the big Las Vegas sports books all have the two-time defending champion Warriors as the heavy favorites to the win the 2019 NBA Finals. All that said, that’s a ot of chatter off the court. The Raptors have a lot going for them on the court.

Considering how they closed out the Milwaukee Bucks their strong defense, their deep bench and how they fared against the Warriors during the regular season, the Toronto Raptors should be confident going into the series. The Raptors are a strong defensive team and have several capable players in Leonard, Pascal Siakam and Danny Green, Toronto can provide some resistance against both Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.

Check out more Toronto Raptors NBA Finals merchandise on this page

It’s well established that Leonard is the league’s premier two-way player, one that not only has the athletic prowess but the thoughtfulness to go up against one the best offensive talents in the game in Durant. At least, the best option available. On the other side, the Raps have a lot of offensive firepower, including several players that can make plays and create opportunities from deep.

On top of that, the Raptors actually defeated the Warriors in both their meetings in the regular season; beating Golden State 131-128 earlier in the season when Leonard scored 37 points in an overtime win. Toronto then beat the Warriors again in mid-December 113-93 without Leonard.

Given, those wins happened really early in the season and both teams have had time to grow and evolve, but those wins should provide some insight as to how the teams match up with one another. The Raptors Ran the East and the Warriors Won the West, now let’s see which team can Take it All