Toronto Raptors squander chance of winning NBA championship in Game 5 at home

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      The Toronto Raptors came within a whisker of finishing off the Golden State Warriors tonight in the NBA Finals.

      But they couldn't seal the deal after leading by six points with three minutes left on the clock.

      The Warriors came roaring back—thanks to the shooting prowess of Klay Thompson and Steph Curry—and by the final buzzer, it was 106-105 for Golden State in Game 5.

      Toronto couldn't convert on a final possession.

      Raptors coach Nick Nurse chose not to call a timeout to plan a play. And in the end, Kyle Lowry's last-second shot from the baseline didn't even come close.

      It will raise questions in some fans' minds whether the Raptors choked after pulling off a phenomenal fourth-quarter comeback that put them in control of the game. Apart from his final shot, Lowry was sensational.

      And Canada's only NBA team still has two more opportunities to win the championship, whereas the Warriors are battered and vulnerable. Kevin Durant had to leave the game with what appeared to be another calf injury after returning for the first time since the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

      But the Warriors are also the defending champs and they showed remarkable poise tonight.

      So if the Raptors lose Game 6 in Oakland, the Toronto Police Service had better be on full alert for Game 7.

      That's because if the Raptors fall short, the mood will get ugly at all those public viewing parties.

      Keep in mind that there have been two hockey riots in Vancouver and five hockey riots in Montreal.

      Fortunately, Canada still hasn't had a basketball riot—at least not yet.

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