Raptors at Cavaliers
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers once again have the Toronto Raptors on the ropes and they will try to deliver another damaging blow in the one-sided rivalry when the teams meet for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Saturday. The Cavaliers took both games at top-seeded Toronto to begin the series and seek to extend their postseason winning streak versus the Raptors to nine straight games - all in the past three seasons.
James collected 43 points - his fourth game of 40-plus points this postseason - and tied a playoff career high with 14 assists in a resounding 128-110 victory on Thursday for a 2-0 series lead. "The ball was popping, guys were feeling involved, everybody felt their comfort [zone]," James told the media after fourth-seeded Cleveland shot 59.5 percent overall and scored 102 points over the final three quarters. "No matter at home or on the road, you want to try to play that type of basketball." The Raptors have to be feeling the heat as they spiral toward what could be another playoff disappointment at the hands of the four-time MVP, although they insist they're still on track. "We thrive off adversity," Toronto guard DeMar DeRozan told reporters. "Every single guy on this team, we thrive off it. We've been in tough situations before and sometimes that's what brings the best out of you. That's where we're at now and it's the first team to win four. We understand where we're at and we're going to fight."
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE RAPTORS: After winning a franchise-record 59 games during the regular season while earning the top seed in the East for the first time, Toronto is quickly searching for answers as it heads to Cleveland. "One thing you have is pride," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. "One thing you have is pride to go into Cleveland and play for pride. I don't know what the history of down 0-2 is, but one thing I do know is tonight wasn't us, how we normally play for longer periods of time. We'll find some answers whether we change the lineup, whatever it is, to keep the offense moving, keep the game moving, and keep the pace going." Led by DeRozan (24 points) and Kyle Lowry (21), the Raptors shot 54.3 percent but they offered little resistance at the other end while forcing just three turnovers, giving the Cavaliers a 24-8 advantage in that category this series.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: James hasn't needed much help during the playoffs, but he was given a boost in Game 2 with a breakout effort for big man Kevin Love. After averaging 10.9 points on 31.9 percent shooting through the first eight playoff games, the veteran had 31 points on 11-of-21 shooting in Thursday's win. "He demanded the ball and we got it to him," James said. "He worked well off the ball, I was able to hit him for a couple slashes to the rim; he was able to dunk one. He was able to get some going on the run. He had his 3 going a little bit early, but more importantly he was working the paint. ... He's our All-Star power forward, and it was a huge game for him."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. James scored at least 44 points in each of his last three playoff home games.
2. DeRozan is 0-for-13 from 3-point range over his last three games.
3. Cleveland won both regular-season meetings at home by a total of nine points.