Raptors 105 – Cavaliers 99: look out, world
By Brian Boake
The Raptors squared their Eastern Conference finals series with the Cavaliers, holding on for their second straight triumph at the Air Canada Centre.
81. Final. 99. 156. 105
The Toronto Raptors raced out to a huge lead, let the Cleveland Cavaliers back into the game and even take the lead, then found another gear. When their offense was most needed, the Raptors outscored the Cavs 11-3 over the final 4:53 to claim the victory.
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Once again the Raptors required their backcourt to step up, and their All-Stars responded in emphatic fashion. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan each buried 14 field goals; 4 of Lowry’s were from beyond the arc. They totalled 67 efficient points, needing only 43 shots.
The Raptors looked like they were on the train to Easy Winville, but the Cavaliers didn’t get here by accident. Despite spotting Toronto a lead which ballooned to 18 points just before the first half ended, a 3-point shooting team like Cleveland is never out of a game.
Cleveland made a run in early Q3, burying 3 straight long balls with no response from the Raps. Following some fine work by DeRozan, the Cavs again hit deep balls, but the Raptors were able to escape Q3. However, they had surrendered 7 points off their lead, and worse was to come.
Channing Frye joined the fray and promptly buried three straight long balls. That forced the Raptors to push Biyombo out to the 3-point arc to slow down their “stretch (and then some)-4”. With no rim protection, the Cavaliers punished the Raptors inside. Cleveland made their first nine shots of the quarter, and took a 3-point lead when LeBron James stole a careless pass by Patrick Patterson, who had to foul the King.
Cue the fold? Is the fun over? Au contraire, mes amis. Lowry restored the tie on a 3-point play, then the teams traded baskets to 96-all. With almost 5 minutes left, overtime was certainly in the air. Who knew that the Cavaliers would make just one more basket, a long contested 3-ball by Kyrie Irving? With 22 seconds to play, Lowry blew by a pylon named J.R. Smith for a layup to clinch the affair. Despite the Raptors clanking some free throws, the Cavaliers were done.
Bismack Biyombo was the man on the boards again, pulling down 14, including a critical offensive rebound in the final minute to reset the clock. Jonas Valanciunas dressed but didn’t play, a wise decision. The bench of the Raptors was little used, other than Patrick Patterson, who was put in hastily after another ineffectual start by Luis Scola.
DeMarre Carroll had a solid game defensively, but has disappointed this series with his shooting. He missed open looks again.
Kyrie Irving and LeBron provided Cleveland with the bulk of its offense. Smith missed 8 of his 11 3-ball tries, and he didn’t help them in other ways.
Next: Raptors are battling refs & Cavs
The series, now a best of three, resumes in Cleveland on Wednesday.