The Toronto Raptors are moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals to play Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the next round.
The Raptors took care of the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, 92-90, thanks to a Kawhi Leonard buzzer beater over Joel Embiid. The winning shot by Leonard was a running fadeaway to the far corner that had to bounce several times on the rim before it found the twine.
It was an incredible shot and a incredible moment for these NBA playoffs. The Raptors move closer to their dream of playing in the NBA Finals, and fans are happy about Leonard’s chances to stay in Toronto.
Leonard hit the game-winner over the outstretched hands of potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate Joel Embiid, and after the horn sounded, the Sixers big man was overcome with emotion. To his credit, Raptors veteran Marc Gasol comforted Embiid, who could be seen with tears streaming down his face as fans cheered at the Air Canada Centre.
Via Twitter:
Nothing but respect after a 7-game series. 👏👏👏@JoelEmbiid x @MarcGasol pic.twitter.com/PyeiuET278
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 13, 2019
That’s a pretty classy move by Gasol at this juncture, and it’s a real testament to how much Embiid cared about winning that he would show that kind of emotion immediately after a loss in full public view of everyone in Toronto.
Embiid shouldn’t be embarrassed about his breakdown, and Gasol should get a hat tip for playing the role of mentor to somebody who’s not even on his own team.