TORONTO — Chants of “M-V-P” showered Scotiabank Arena on New Year’s Day as Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard stepped to the free-throw line with 7.8 seconds remaining.
Leonard split the pair and as the final buzzer sounded he ended with a career-best 45 points and six rebounds on 16-for-22 shooting in Toronto’s 122-116 victory against the Utah Jazz.
“It’s great, because it means they see your hard work, your hard work is paying off and they appreciate what you’re doing,” Leonard said of hearing the chants.
Both teams were looking to start 2019 off right, but during the third quarter is where the Raptors took control with Leonard posting 19 of his 45 points.