After taking Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series, the Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the Toronto Raptors again on Wednesday night. It was Game 2 of their second-round matchup at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. A frantic, energized crowd of over 20,000 fans made sure that it is one of the loudest atmospheres this postseason as Cleveland was looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. Prior to Wednesday's Game 2, Cleveland had won four straight playoff games at home against Toronto.
Cavaliers' head coach Tyronn Lue celebrated his 40th birthday on Wednesday and before the game he said, "the best gift would be a win tonight".
A resounding victory for the Cavs
The way this game started it looked like Cleveland's streak of five straight wins this postseason, won't be ending any time soon. Toronto only led this game at 6-4 and 9-7 early in the first quarter.
The home team then went on a 12-0 run and took a double-digit lead midway through the first period (19-9). After the first quarter, the score was 34-22 for the Cavaliers. Playing with a smaller lineup the Raptors were outrebounded 13-2 in that first period. At halftime, Cleveland held a 62-48 lead and never looked back after that. They made their first eight three-pointers and by the end of the third quarter, this game was already decided. Home squad held a 99-73 heading into the final period of the game.
Their biggest lead of the game was 30 points (107-77) early in the fourth quarter and the final score was 125-103 for the Cavaliers. They outrebounded the Raptors 40-37 and finished the game with 28 assists. Cleveland was 18-for-33 (54.5%) from behind the arc while holding Toronto to just 5-for-17 (29.4%). Dwane Casey's squad was blown out for the fifth straight time in Cleveland in the playoffs, losing each by an average of 24.2 points.
LeBron James makes history again
LeBron James led all scorers in Game 2. He finished with 39 points and also added six rebounds and four assists. James was efficient as he shot 10-for-14 from the field and 15-for-21 from the free-throw line. He came into Wednesday's game needing 25 points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the second place all-time in playoff scoring.
He overtook Jabbar with a 3-pointer in the third quarter and with his 39 points he now only trails Michael Jordan in all-time postseason points. His 39-point effort was also the 89th time he’s topped the 30-point plateau in a playoff game. Kyrie Irving contributed with 22 points and 11 assists for the Cavaliers.
After scoring 19 points in Game 1, Toronto's leading scorer DeMar DeRozan was held to just 5 points on 2-for-11 shooting in Game 2. Kyle Lowry scored 20 for the Raptors while Serge Ibaka added 16 points and five rebounds.
Game 3 is Friday night at Toronto's Air Canada Centre.
