Kawhi Leonard Hits Buzzer Beater to Send Raptors to NBA East Finals

It’s safe to say that the off season trade that brought Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors is paying off. Leonard hit a jump shot as the clock ran out at the end of the Raptors-Philadelphia 76ers NBA East Semifinal playoff May 12th to win not only the game, but the series as well. Leonard’s jumper hit the rim four times before going in to add dramatic effect in the 92-90 victory. Leonard had a game high 41 points. The Raptors eliminated the 76ers in seven games and advanced to face the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Milwaukee took three out of four from Toronto in the regular season.

The only other time in NBA playoff history that a winner take all game ended with a buzzer beater was in 1989, when Michael Jordan hit one for the Bulls as Chicago eliminated Cleveland. It’s a bit of a surprise that this happens so rarely, perhaps, so enjoy it, as at this rate, we aren’t due for another until 2049.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=j9OHOsjtBIs
 
In the Western Conference, the Portland Trailblazers overcame a 17 point deficit on the road in Denver to beat the Nuggets 100-96 to take Game 7 in that series and advance to the Western Conference Final against the Golden State Warriors. The Trailblazers and Nuggets split their four regular season games.