The adage says to act like you’ve been there before. Well, before Saturday night’s victory over the Bucks, the Raptors had never been to the NBA Finals, so their fans didn’t have to act like it.
Despite being a one-point underdog for Game 1, the Warriors open as the favorites, currently at -275 while the Raptors are at +225.
History and odds be damned, the capital of Ontario erupted with joy with the city four wins from its first championship in any of the four major sports since the Blue Jays won the 1993 World Series.
Fans flooded the viewing party outside Scotiabank Arena to watch Game 6. The celebration escalated after the Eastern Conference championship was secured.
T.O. WE LOVE YOU! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/xqnRS8UuxU
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 26, 2019
#Toronto fans are celebrating the @raptors first trip to the NBA finals in Yonge Dundas Square! #WeTheNorth #Game6 pic.twitter.com/J4dVIoiXV8
— CityNews Toronto (@CityNews) May 26, 2019
Toronto Raptor fans took to the streets of downtown Toronto on Saturday night in celebration of the team's Game 6 Eastern Conference finals win over the Milwaukee Bucks. #WeTheNorth #GoRapsGo
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) May 26, 2019
READ MORE: https://t.co/2gViozJssV pic.twitter.com/kXDHWnzRpv
This vantage point of Jurassic Park celebrating is incredible. (Via - @gaurakapoor08)#WeTheNorth | #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/pETjQXyK2Q
— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) May 26, 2019
People really shooting fireworks from their cars in downtown Toronto #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/yA9Aubyb8L
— Emily DiRenzo (@edirenzo) May 26, 2019
Naturally, national pride took over the crowd as “O Canada” broke out.
They’re chanting “O Canada” in the streets of Toronto! 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/6ICkvbM6OE
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 26, 2019
Players exited the arena at a slower pace than normal, much to their delight.
T.O. LOVES @FredVanVleet! #WeTheNorth
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 26, 2019
📽️: @FredVanVleet / IG pic.twitter.com/tRuUZEwQ0e
Marc Gasol high-fives @Raptors fans as him and his driver attempt to drive off from Scotiabank Arena.
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 26, 2019
👋✋#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/PGgYB9Vtxi
@JLin7 (IG Story)
— Penny Lee (@penny10654) May 26, 2019
Love these fans.
That's crazy! pic.twitter.com/wla6On81vb
If you look like Kawhi Leonard and wear a Kawhi Leonard jersey, you’ll get treated like Kawhi Leonard, as one fan found out when he was lifted on people’s shoulders as those around him chanted: “MVP! MVP! MVP!”
They found a Kawhi lookalike 😂
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 26, 2019
(via a.k.a.ak/IG) pic.twitter.com/VQQoeXNxeN
The Raptors started from the bottom. Now they’re here, finally.
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