Drake puts on animated display on sidelines while cheering beloved Toronto Raptors to playoff win
Drake put on an animated display on the sidelines Tuesday while cheering on his beloved Toronto Raptors during a playoff game in Toronto, Canada.
The 32-year-old Canadian rapper stalked the sidelines whooping it up as the Raptors evened the Eastern Conference finals with a 120-102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Drake got particularly excited in the first quarter after Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, 24, shot an air ball from the free throw line.
Big win: Drake smiled while watching his beloved Toronto Raptors win a playoff game Tuesday in Toronto, Canada
He rejoiced when the Bucks missed and the TNT announcers noted that Drake seemed to be taking responsibility for their errant shots.
Drake was seen slapping hands with limping Raptors star player Kawhi Leonard, 27, who contributed 19 points and seven rebounds despite being limited to 34 minutes.
He also was seen courtside celebrating with bench layers Normal Powell, 25, and Serge Ibaka, 29, as they left the court in the second half.
Former UCLA star Norman scored 18 points in 32 minutes and Serge had 17 points in 24 minutes.
Animated fan: The 32-year-old Canadian rapper stalked the sidelines whooping it up as the Raptors evened the Eastern Conference finals with a 120-102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks
Into it: Drake got particularly excited in the first quarter after Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, 24, shot an air ball from the free throw line
Huge game: The rapper reacted while watching from a courtside seat at Scotiabank Arena
Drake during the fourth quarter was seen giving Raptors head coach Nick Nurse a reassuring rub of the shoulders.
The home team has won all four games in the series so far and Game 5 is Thursday night in Milwaukee.
The Raptors presented Drake with a custom Raptors/OVO diamond-encrusted jacket reportedly worth $769,000 before the game.
Even series: The Raptors evened the Eastern Conference finals with the Game 4 win
Star player: Kawhi Leonard and Drake slapped hands during the game
Bench players: Norman Powell and Serge Ibaka celebrated with Drake during the second half
‘This is truly a 1 of 1 piece,’ said Michael Nguyen, who helped design the jacket, according to The Star. ‘Both the jersey inside, which Drake himself helped design, and this very special piece of cloth. And the diamonds, of course.’
Drake was named a ‘global ambassador’ for the Raptors in September 2013.
He has been a regular fixture at playoff games watching from a courtside seat.
Stepping up: Former UCLA star Norman scored 18 points in 32 minutes to help the Raptors win