The Toronto Raptors knew they had to make changes after getting manhandled in Game 1. Jonas Valanciunas and DeMarre Carroll sat in favor of Patrick Patterson and Norman Powell in order to play smaller, but the result was worse than before. Behind an unrelenting assault of three-pointers and 70 points from the Cavs’ Big Three, Cleveland obliterated Toronto 125-103 to take a 2-0 series lead.
LeBron James just spins the ball right in front of Serge Ibaka and splashes the 3 in his eye ? pic.twitter.com/EfVqyFNJao
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 3, 2017
The Cavaliers came out of the gate roaring and lead by 12 after the first quarter. After three quarters, Cleveland was up 26 and comfortably in control. LeBron finished with 39 points on 14 shot attempts as he continued abusing the Raptors. Kyrie Irving did not shoot the ball well, 6-19 from the floor, but finished with 11 assists. That is the second game in a row with ten or more assists, a stat that he did not accomplish at all in the playoffs last year. Every Cavaliers starter finished positive in the +/- department, with four out of five being +20 or more. It was a total romp from the very beginning, and the Cavs will head North up 2-0 and with a sizable momentum advantage.
Kyrie Irving with the behind-the-back bounce pass to LeBron James for the strong slam! #DefendtheLand pic.twitter.com/u1xJqI9EaJ
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 4, 2017
Toronto had, overall, very few bright spots as they head back home with their tail between their legs. The lineup changes were necessary given how ineffective Valanciunas is rebounding the ball, but the results were less than stellar. DeMar DeRozan did not hit a field goal in the first half and finished with five points. Kyle Lowry finished with 20 points, but left the game early with an ankle injury. Powell and Patterson, who were inserted into the lineup, combined for 11 points a net rating of -36. Valanciunas had a solid game off the bench with 23 points, providing a much-needed offensive punch. However, if the Raptors are to win a game in this lopsided series, Toronto will need a complete game from their two stars.
Kyle Lowry suffered an apparent leg injury on this play. He was seen limping to the locker room#Raptors pic.twitter.com/AHWBSXsBa8
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 4, 2017
The Cavaliers have had their way with Toronto so far. Things may be different as the series shifts to Canada, but the status of Kyle Lowry will be worth monitoring. Even if he can play, ankle injuries have a tendency to nag and hamper play. Cleveland appears full steam ahead en route to the Easter Conference Finals, with LeBron James steering the warship.
