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Eastern Conference finals: Raptors strike back against off-key Cavaliers

With their stat lines equally underwhelming, the bigger competition between Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving in Saturday’s 99-84 loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals is which member of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ pair had a bigger dud of an ending to their night. He finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists, but couldn’t win on his own.

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The Cavs lead the series, 2-0, and remained unbeaten in the postseason with Thursday’s 108-89 win. Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving combined for 16 points on 4 of 28 shooting (14.3%). “Without him we probably wouldn’t have this win”. We’ve taken one step at a time.

There’s no need to try and research how to watch the live stream, because we already have that covered. And based on the way the Cavaliers played in Game 3, they apparently thought the Raptors felt this way as well. “Our team knows that we can play better than we played”. “I don’t foresee him tomorrow night and after that we’ll just have to wait and see”.

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry shoots as he falls to the floor after being fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tristan Thompson (13) during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals in Toronto on Saturday, May 21, 2016. However, he isn’t hanging his head.

“I think it’s good for them”. That’s why I’m not down on myself.

DeRozan scored 12 points in the first but saw a buzzer-beating 3 waved off after video review. Raptors coach Dwane Casey said DeRozan has competed at a high level in the team’s most important moments. “But still we’re not quitting”. “I refuse to believe that”.

James had five assists, moving past Jason Kidd and into third place on the NBA’s career playoff list. He scored on Cleveland’s next possession, and while sitting on the bench during a subsequent timeout, he saluted applauding Cavs fans by pressing his fingers to his lips and touching his heart.

For the first time this series, the Cavs were outscored in the paint, 36-20. They haven’t faced adversity yet, therefore we shouldn’t be as impressed by this run.

Biyombo was whistled for a flagrant let in the game when he collared James around the neck with his left arm and hit him on the side of the head with his right.

“Everybody was just being aggressive”, Joseph said, “not being tentative and trying to create for themselves and others”.

The Cavaliers form is simply too good.

The Raptors are confident Lowry will shoot his way out his slump. He came back in the second quarter and was whistled for a truly very bad call, where his offence appeared to be to stand in the vicinity of LeBron James. Sometimes you go through a rough stretch.

What I’ve got to do a better job of is finding the group to play with Channing Frye at the 5 and LeBron James at the 4. The Raptors were forcing the Cavs to work. In Game 3 against Toronto, the Cavaliers shot just 35.4%. Jonas Valanciunas’ status remains unknown for the remainder of the conference finals. DeRozan said his team made necessary adjustments, and the results were clear. Lowry and Lue have been close for years, and their friendship is being tested these days.

Today: Golden State at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m. The Cavs haven’t had many of those nights during this charmed postseason run, which started with 10 straight wins before Saturday’s defeat. Riley won nine straight in 1982.

The Quicken Loans Arena, painted in gold “All In” T-shirts, included New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and six-time NBA MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He and James spoke briefly afterward.

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Delly Time: Matthew Dellavedova was a game-time decision with an ankle injury, but he was active and played.

Raptors center Valanciunas out for Game 1 against Cavaliers