Raptors supporters in Toronto.

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Chris Young / AP / SIPA

Toronto is not dead.

After a double overtime and a hard-fought game, it was the reigning NBA champion who ended up winning (125-122), equalizing at 3-3 in this uncertain series.

"Never underestimate the heart of a champion", the maxim shouted by Rudy Tomjanovich the former coach of Houston after the title retained in 1995, is still far from being crowned with the same effect for the Raptors, crowned the last year.

But the way they defend their skin commands respect.

The second "overtime" was in itself a fine summary of the match.

Impressive sequences where the two teams surrendered blow for blow, but also moments of hesitation where the only goal was to get rid of the ball, causing clumsiness, also due to physical fatigue.

The battle on the floor has never stopped between the two franchises.

Even after a series of three alley-oops concluded by Boston pivot Daniel Theis, the fire only lasted a short time as Toronto responded to the suite with baskets behind Lowry's arc (33 pts, 8 rbds, 6 assists).

Not to mention the three-point fight between Marcus Smart and OG Anunoby that continually reduced each team's scoring advantage.

COLD BLOODED pic.twitter.com/l684qrNOPY

- Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 10, 2020

In the end, it was a few stray bullets that made the difference.

That of Jayson Tatum, intercepted by Lowry with 41 seconds from the end, cost the Celtics dearly.

“There are two strong teams playing hard… We had to win.

Take it away or we would go home.

We did it.

We'll have to be ready for Game 7, ”Lowry said afterwards.

Kawhi Leonard in MVP mode

What to do with the Kawhi Leonard machine (30 pts, 11 rebounds, 9 assists), when it seems more and more unstoppable with the advancement of the play-offs?

Not much: the 2014 titles with San Antonio and 2019 with Toronto are proof of that.

However, it is this final version that is underway at the end of summer 2020.

. @ kawhileonard with the steal, and @ TeamLou23 seals the deal.



📺 @espn pic.twitter.com/B4ghTWPNNT

- LA Clippers (@LAClippers) September 10, 2020

Denver, did not find the parade, losing (96-85) after having also come up against an intractable defense.

The Nuggets are now down 3-1 in the series.

This makes two enormous assets for the Clippers, who can also count on the return to form of Montrezl Harrell (15 pts), just named "best 6th man of the year", and the constant contribution of the other substitute Lou Williams (12 pts), even allowing himself the luxury of a performance at a small trot by Paul George (10 pts).

The objective to suck the opponent from the first quarter by taking a big gap in the score was successful with a 26-12.

The Nuggets were never able to pick up, despite Nikola Jokic (26 pts, 11 rebounds, 6 assists).

“We were very focused, we had our game plan, we put in the energy we needed right from the start and from there we continued on our way,” said Leonard.

This path could well lead the Clippers to a very first conference final in fifty years of existence.

Tonight, the Lakers will try to emulate their neighbor by widening the gap to 3-1 in their series against Houston who relies on Harden to equalize at home.

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