TORONTO: Kawhi Leonard had 27 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Toronto Raptors into the NBA Finals for the first time with a 100-94 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.
The Raptors overcame a 15-point deficit to win the series in six games and will host the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night.
Pascal Siakam scored 18 points, Kyle Lowry had 17 and Fred VanVleet 14 for the Raptors, who used a 26-3 run late in the third quarter and early in the fourth to turn the game in their favor.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 21 points and 11 rebounds, but the NBA’s top team in the regular season saw its bid for a first finals berth in 45 years come to a disappointing end with a fourth consecutive defeat.
Down 76-71 to start the fourth, the Raptors tied it with an 8-2 run while Leonard and Antetokounmpo were both on the bench. Ibaka’s dunk with 10:32 to go tied it at 78.
Antetokounmpo returned after a timeout, but Leonard kept sitting. That didn’t matter to Toronto, with Siakam’s basket giving the Raptors an 80-78 lead, their first lead since it was 6-3.
Leonard’s one-handed slam after Lowry’s steal gave Toronto an 87-79 lead with 6:46 to go before the Bucks responded. George Hill answered with a layup, Brook Lopez converted a three-point play and Antetokounmpo scored to cut it to 87-86 with 5:19 to go.
Lowry and Lopez swapped baskets before Gasol’s 3 put the Raptors up 92-88 with 3:50 left. After another basket by Lopez, Leonard made a 3 to push Toronto’s lead to 95-90 with 3:04 to play. It was Leonard’s first 3 after missing his first seven attempts of the game.
Toronto made 12 of 27 3-point attempts, including four of eight in the fourth quarter.
Siakam, who missed a pair of free throws late in the fourth quarter of Toronto’s double-overtime win in Game 3, hit one to make it 98-94. Leonard grabbed the rebound on the second and was fouled. He made both, putting the Raptors up 100-94 with 3.9 seconds to go.
Brogdon and Middleton each made a pair from long range as the Bucks shot 6 for 9 from 3-point range in the first and closed the quarter with 10 unanswered points to lead 31-18. Toronto shot 6 for 19 in the opening quarter, missing six straight twice in the first 12 minutes.
The Bucks extended their lead to 38-23 on a 3 by Ersan Ilyasova with 7:46 left until half. Toronto cut the gap to 46-43 on a 3 by VanVleet with 1:07 left in the second, but Eric Bledsoe answered with a 3 and Antetokounmpo split a pair at the line, giving the Bucks a 50-43 advantage at the intermission.
The lead went back to 15 in the third before Leonard finished the period with a flourish. He had eight points in the final 2:01 and Toronto closed with a 10-0 run, cutting a 15-point deficit to 76-71.
TIP-INS
Bucks: Milwaukee shot 4 for 16 in the second but three of its made baskets were 3-pointers. ... The Bucks had six points in the paint in the first half. ... Coach Mike Budenholzer was called for a technical foul on Milwaukee’s first possession of the second half. Leonard missed the free throw. ... Antetokounmpo shot 5 for 10 at the free throw line.
Raptors: Danny Green, who missed all three of his field goal attempts in 16 minutes in Game 5, had another rough night. Green shot 0 for 4 in 14 minutes. ... Leonard’s 17 rebounds were his most in any game this postseason. ... Lowry had eight assists.
DRAKE WATCH
Raptors fan and ‘global ambassador’ Drake sat in his regular seat adjacent to the Toronto bench. The rapper wore a black hoodie with ‘KAWHI ME A RIVER’ printed on the back.
UP NEXT
The NBA Finals comes to Canada for the first time when the Raptors host the Warriors on Thursday night. Toronto swept Golden State in the regular season.
Raptors beat Bucks to reach first NBA final
Raptors beat Bucks to reach first NBA final
Arakji debuts in Dubai Basketball’s dominant win over Mornar of Montenegro
- New Lebanese signing impresses in first outing at the Coca-Cola Arena
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball put on dominant display in front of their fans at Coca-Cola Arena on Sunday night to defeat Montenegro’s KK Mornar 104-66, surpassing the century mark for the second time this season and taking their ABA League record to 9-3.
Dubai Basketball made a strong start with center Ahmet Duverioglu and point guard Nate Mason setting the tone early, scoring seven points each in the opening quarter. The home team kept up the pace all night long, scoring 56 points in the first half alone. Going into the last quarter with a 78-57 advantage, the local support grew louder as Mason delivered an off-the-backboard alley-oop that was slammed home by JaCorey Williams.
Williams ended the game as the night’s leading scorer, delivering an outstanding double-double performance with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Mason also recorded his first double-double of the season, racking up 15 points, 10 assists, and four rebounds.
Before the game, fans waited eagerly to see the debut of new signing Wael Arakji, and they got their wish three minutes into the second quarter when he stepped on to the court to thunderous applause. The Lebanese star wasted no time, scoring within 30 seconds with fans shouting: “We want Wael” and “Yalla Wael.”
To the delight of the crowd, in the final quarter Arakji knocked in a long three-pointer. KK Mornar fought valiantly, with standout performances from Chico Mellichamp Carter Jr., who contributed 15 points, five assists, and three rebounds, and Lovro Buljevic, who matched him with 15 points, three assists, and three rebounds.
However, the team’s efforts fell short against Dubai Basketball’s relentless offense and home-court advantage.
Dubai Basketball head coach Jurica Golemac was thrilled with the team’s performance. “The fans were again loud and gave us a lot of energy,” he said. “We had a good week of practice with everyone. From the beginning, we set the tone and were aggressive, disciplined, smart and played good basketball, and had an easy win. But Mornar were better than the result showed. The players were very focused and gave everything in the game.”
He also praised Arakji’s debut: “Wael is a very experienced player, and we have known him before. He is very adjustable, and he only joined this week, but he got on well with the teammates, understands the system and ideas and we’re very lucky to have him. He’s going to help us a lot in the future for sure.”
Arakji, who ended the night with seven points, said he was delighted to make his debut.
“Everywhere I go, Lebanese fans are always with me,” he said. “I’ve been here for four days, and I have been working out from 9:30 to 2:30 every day. I haven’t seen this highest level of training before. The level is very high. I’m excited for what’s to come.”
The win solidifies Dubai Basketball Club’s fourth place standing in the ABA League.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships celebrates women’s event’s 25th anniversary with world’s top 10
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships celebrates women’s event’s 25th anniversary with world’s top 10
- World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, reigning champion Jasmine Paolini, and five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek in star-studded lineup
DUBAI: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek, and reigning Dubai champion Jasmine Paolini lead a star-studded lineup featuring the world’s top 10 WTA players in the 25th anniversary Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships’ women’s tournament.
In an incredible year for Paolini, she has tied the record for the highest-ranked Italian woman in WTA rankings history, with the World No. 4 winning her second career title in Dubai, finishing runner-up at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and then triumphing in doubles at the Paris Olympics and in Malaga.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, was recently voted WTA Player of the Year for the first time after winning four titles in 2024, including a second Australian Open and maiden US Open triumph. That form allowed her to reclaim the top ranking from Swiatek, who was beaten in straight sets by World No. 3 Coco Gauff in Saudi Arabia’s season-ending tournament.
“The tournament’s elevation to permanent WTA 1000 status last year underlines the caliber of talent this competition consistently attracts … with the world’s top 10 players now confirmed to participate,” said Ramesh Cidambi, managing director of Dubai Duty Free and chairman of the tournament’s organizing committee.
Another former Dubai champion, Barbora Krejcikova, will feature at the WTA 1000 tournament, as well as World No. 5 Qinwen Zheng, who made history by winning China’s first tennis singles gold medal at the Paris Olympics this year.
Daria Kasatkina, a finalist in Dubai in 2018, and Jessica Pegula, a semi-finalist here in 2023, will also compete at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Meanwhile, a strong men’s lineup is primed for the 33rd edition of the ATP Tour event.
‘Zero communication,’ says Gillespie opening up on Pakistan exit
- Jason Gillespie was appointed Pakistan’s Test coach in April for two years but differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board took their toll
- The 49-year-old former Australian pacer said he was not informed of decision to remove performance coach Tim Nielsen, also an Australian
BRISBANE: Jason Gillespie said Monday he felt no longer wanted as Pakistan’s Test coach and was left out of major decisions, having quit the post last week.
The 49-year-old Australian former fast bowler was appointed in April for two years but differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took their toll.
Gillespie said he was not informed of the decision to remove performance coach Tim Nielsen, also an Australian.
“Nielsen was told his services were no longer required and I had zero communication from anyone and that was the moment I thought: well, I’m not really sure they actually want me to do this job,” Gillespie told Australian broadcaster ABC in Brisbane.
He added: “For a decision to then be made (about Nielsen) and the head coach doesn’t get a text message, phone call or email about a decision that’s a pretty big decision.
“It just left me thinking well I’m really not sure if the PCB wants me.”
The PCB accepted Gillespie’s resignation, the second in two months after former South Africa opener Gary Kirsten quit as white-ball coach over differences with selectors.
Gillespie had the worst possible start to his coaching stint when Pakistan were whitewashed 2-0 by Bangladesh.
That was followed by an innings defeat against England in the first Test in Multan.
The defeat prompted the PCB to make sweeping changes, removing Gillespie from the selection panel and dropping star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.
Pakistan won the remaining two Tests to seal the series 2-1.
Gillespie refused to join the team for the two-Test series in South Africa starting in Centurion from December 26.
Gillespie said he was upset over the reduction of his role.
“In essence I was basically hitting catches and that was about it on the morning of a game,” he told ABC.
“You want to be able to have clear communication with all stakeholders, including selectors and knowing what the team is as head coach at least a day before the game so you can help plan and prepare the players.”
The exits of Gillespie and Kirsten means Pakistan have now had seven different coaches across formats in the last three years.
How Saudi Arabia’s World Cup will reverberate across Asian football
- The 2034 edition will the third time that football’s global showpiece will be held by Asia, after Japan-Korea 2002 and Qatar 2022
AUSTRALIA: As the party continues across Saudi Arabia after last week’s historic awarding of the FIFA World Cup 2034 to the Kingdom, the win is also being felt across the wider Asian Football Confederation.
The event in 2034 will mark just the third time football’s global showpiece will be held on Asian shores, after Japan-Korea 2002 and Qatar 2022, and will again focus the world’s attention on the best that Asian football has to offer.
The AFC’s president, Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, was the first to congratulate the new hosts. “This is a momentous occasion for Saudi Arabia, the AFC, and the whole of Asia,” he said.
“Saudi Arabia’s successful bid is a testament to the Kingdom’s vision, commitment, and passion for football. We have full confidence in their ability to host an extraordinary FIFA World Cup that will leave a lasting legacy for the sport in Asia and beyond.
“The AFC is committed to working closely with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and FIFA to ensure the successful delivery of the FIFA World Cup 2034. Together, we will create an unforgettable experience for football fans around the globe.
“This historic achievement marks a new chapter for Asian football. With Saudi Arabia hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2034, we are confident that Asia will continue to play a leading role on the global stage.”
Rhysh Roshan Rai, a former Singapore footballer and now commentator, having covered some of Asian football’s biggest moments, including the AFC Asian Cup, AFC Champions League and Asian Qualifiers, is excited about the possible developmental benefits for the region.
“Asia is huge and diverse, so it’s hard to speak for everyone, but I’m sure it’s exciting for fans in that part of the continent,” he told Arab News.
“Being given the opportunity to host a massive event like that. They’re big football fans in Saudi Arabia and very passionate about the game.
“Speaking for myself, as a fan of Asian football, I’m looking forward to it and hopefully it’ll be something that can benefit the game in Asia.”
These comments are echoed by Dejan Damjanovic, the all-time leading scorer in the AFC Champions League.
The 43-year-old, who retired from football last year after a glittering 25-year career, is best known for his time in Korea with FC Seoul.
He holds the record for the most goals in the AFC Champions League with 42, five more than Korea’s Lee Dong-gook and 10 more than Saudi Arabia’s Nasser Al-Shamrani.
“I think it’s going to be amazing,” said Damjanovic, who enjoyed a six-month loan spell with Al-Ahli in 2006.
“Everyone knows how much Saudi invested in the last couple of years and how much they will invest in the coming years. I am sure they will make it an unbelievable World Cup.
“I think this is going to be (an) amazing promotion of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East in general.”
It may only have been six months that Damjanovic spent in Saudi Arabia, at a different time in the Kingdom’s football development, but it clearly left an impact on him and the fans.
“I was just on loan there, and now when I look back I am really sorry that I didn’t stay longer,” he said.
“When I came back in 2013 (for the AFC Champions League quarterfinal) after six or seven years, still the fans welcomed me really nicely and the game was unbelievable.
“It’s really nice memories, and when I am with friends I am always speaking about (it). It’s really nice to have so many nice memories from ACL.”
Meanwhile, Roshan Rai was in the Kingdom in October to commentate on Saudi Arabia’s 0-0 draw with Bahrain, in what proved to be the last game of the Roberto Mancini era.
Having experienced firsthand the passion of the Saudi fans, not to mention the hospitality of the locals, the 39-year-old was left in no doubt about Saudi Arabia’s capacity to host the world’s biggest sporting event.
“They will be great hosts,” he said. “They’ve already been moving towards opening up the country for a while now and hosting big sporting and other events.
“They have the infrastructure in place and certainly have the resources to build on and improve on anything required to ensure that they can be the best host possible.
“From my own experiences there, the people have been warm, friendly and welcoming. I believe that will be the case as well once the World Cup comes around.”
He also spoke about the impact of hosting the World Cup. “Obviously in a football sense there are benefits … businesswise and so on there will be benefits.
“But from a human perspective there will also be a benefit to this. People might sometimes perceive things about certain places around the world. Stereotypes help us make sense of our world so it’s normal but it helps to challenge those stereotypes at times.
“I’ve been lucky enough to travel across the continent and world and have met with people from different cultures and backgrounds. There are many things in common that we have and also differences to celebrate, respect, discuss.
“There will be analysis and coverage of this event for a long time to come and that will put things under the spotlight and on the table for discussion, to work on things that need to be worked on by all parties.
“There is no perfect place on this planet, but an open mind and a willingness to learn about each other will go a long way towards our development as a species.”
Green Falcons continue training camp for Arabian Gulf Cup
- National team will have a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s national football team continued their training camp on Sunday here in preparation for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait from Dec. 21 to Jan. 3.
The Green Falcons had an evening training session at Al-Shabab Club Stadium under the supervision of head coach Herve Renard. The session began with warm-up exercises, followed by possession training.
Renard introduced various tactical exercises before organizing a full-pitch match divided into two groups. The training session concluded with recovery exercises. Another session was held later in the evening.
Meanwhile, player Firas Al-Buraikan continued his individual training with the medical staff, while duo Abdullah Al-Khaibari and Abdulelah Al-Amari were limited to special exercises alongside the medical team.
The Green Falcons will conclude their preparations on Monday with a training session at 4 p.m. at Al-Shabab Club Stadium, ahead of their friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday. The first 15 minutes of the session will be open to the media.
Renard will hold a press conference on Monday at 3 p.m. at Al-Shabab Club Stadium to discuss the team’s preparations.
