NBA playoffs: Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard expects Sixers’ best shot in Game 6

Kawhi Leonard, who was the NBA Finals MVP after leading San Antonio to the 2014 NBA title, knows what it is like to be in a close-out game.

The Toronto Raptors All-Star has his team leading the 76ers three games to two in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series entering tonight’s Game 6 at the Wells Fargo Center.

Before the Raptors’ shootaround on Thursday morning, he talked about the mindset that the Raptors need.

“Just going out there and matching the other team’s competitive nature, pretty much and trying to take their first hit and just sustain a mindset of trying to win and move on, that is pretty much it” said Leonard, who is averaging 34.8 points and 9.8 rebounds this series. “Don’t let them play harder than you and out-hustle you and see what the outcome is.”

Leonard expects the Sixers, who are coming off a 125-89 loss in Game 5, to come out swinging.

“Yes, definitely,” he said. “Nobody wants to go home.”

He understands that the Raptors will be facing a desperate Sixers team.

“Obviously, both of us are game away from winning or losing, like I said, we have to have the same mentality that they have and the mentality to go in and try to get it done.”