In game two of the series, the Raptors faced the same fate as they fell two games behind the Cavaliers, losing 89-108. With their incredibly potent offense, the Cleveland Cavaliers have no such need. If the game goes anything like the ones in Cleveland, they will likely achieve their goal, as they have been the better team by a significant margin so far.
Advertisement
If you’re the Cavs, you know it took a superhuman effort from DeRozan and Biyombo, and some bad shooting on your part to lose this game.
JR Smith added 22 points and Kyrie Irving ended with 13 in the defeat for the Cavs, who had their 10-game winning streak in the playoffs this season ended.
Previously, Valanciunas grabbed 18 boards back in Game 1 of the team’s 2014 series against the Brooklyn Nets, the Lithuanian’s first career playoff game.
“Of course once he gave me permission to use his finger wag, then I guess I just want to leave his legacy and make sure that I show him some love as my big brother”.
Raptors center Bismack Biyombo and Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson became tangled up after a foul in the final minute of the half, when James and Cory Joseph entered to intervene. Lowry is struggling to hit a shot so it looked like he was pouty and wanted to get away and take a mental timeout. “These are the games that really build the character of our team”. In Game 3, both DeRozan and Lowry scored better. “We’re down 2-0 but we haven’t played on our home floor yet”. Cleveland was supposed to be a powerhouse dating back to the start of last season, when LeBron James returned from his extended trip to South Florida and set about creating his second superteam, this time with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in place of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. It may be true that J.R. Smith has embraced the role of defending the opponents’ top perimeter scorer, but that doesn’t mean he’s anything like Kawhi Leonard.
Turning it Over: After having just one turnover in the first half, the Cavs had eight in the second half to finish with nine, including five in the fourth quarter down the stretch. This time, instead of Joseph, it was Jefferson who got the quick hook early in the period.
“At the end of the day, I’m important to this team”, he said matter-of-factly. And it worked out.
“They did a great job of going under screens pick and rolls”. In the moral victories department, they at least forced LeBron James to play most of the fourth quarter.
The aggressiveness got the Raptors to the rim and opened things up elsewhere. Shooting guard Demar DeRozan had an impressive night, racking up a team high 22 points, but Kyle Lowry still couldn’t produce. Only four of their 25 baskets were assisted, because of the way they were attacking matchups.
“You have to give them credit, coming home and playing hard and feeding off their home crowd”.
Advertisement
“It’s whatever. I think it’s overreaction, personally”, Lowry said with a shrug. They took advantage of it in the first two games. 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.
