Toronto, Canada — The energy could not have been more exciting going into Game 5 in Toronto. With the Raptors up 3-1 in the series, this game could had been the one where an NBA champion was named. Torontonians knew how big of a game this was. The energy extended outside of Toronto and encompassed a whole country behind a team. In the original Jurassic Park, outside the Scotiabank Arena, there were three large TV screens playing the game and showing little clips featuring ‘mini’ Jurassic Parks set up in cities across Canada.
There were hundreds of people in the area of Jurassic Park spread multiple blocks all the way to the iconic Rogers Centre and CN tower, both lit up highlighting the Toronto Raptors and the We The North slogan displayed in bright lights.
Even though Toronto trailed for most of the game, fans never lost excitement and or stopped cheering. They never gave up hope and determination of watching their team push through. When the game was down to the last three minutes and the Raptors were in the lead, the crowd was so loud the cheering never stopped! People’s eyes never left the TV screens and the excitement was too close to not watch every second unfold in the last few minutes.
With only 15 seconds left in the game, Toronto only needed two-points to win. Fans outside the arena stood quietly holding their breath as Kyle Lowry attempted a three-pointer to win the game.
But, he missed. Golden State snuck away with the win, 106-105, and made the series 3-2 in favor of Toronto.
After the game, although their was a lot of disappoint with fans, the overall feeling was still positive among the fans within Jurassic Park. As people dispersed out of the downtown area of the Scotiabank Arena, fans still cheered in the streets, the comradery of being a Raptors fan did not change because they lost.
Fans were still in good spirits knowing the Raptors still have a great chance at winning the NBA Championship in Oracle this Thursday. With the series being extended, it is so exciting to watch an entire country rally behind a team and to continue watching this series unfold. It has definitely been a great championship series so far.
I can’t wait to see all the action unfold in Game 6!
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