Cavaliers 116, Raptors 78 (Cleveland leads series 3-2)
After pouncing on the Raptors for a 37-19 first quarter lead, the Cavaliers never took their foot off the gas in Wednesday’s 38-point rout of Toronto. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan continued an unfortunate trend of mediocre play on the road, combining for 27 points on 7-of-20 shooting.
Lowry & DeRozan's home/road splits are staggering. #CAVSvRAPTORS pic.twitter.com/XZpz3HWyeR
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 26, 2016
Kevin Love, meanwhile, was brilliant- tallying 25 points on 80% shooting through just 25 minutes. With a combined 46 points from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, as well as 11 points off the bench from Richard Jefferson, the Cavs were able to get into celebration mode by halftime.
Richard Jefferson with the alley-oop and backboard slap! 🙌https://t.co/c9n1Ng2u9J
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 26, 2016
As mentioned on the ESPN broadcast, one silver lining for Raptors coach Dwane Casey was the return of Jonas Valanciunas. Returning from an ankle injury, Valanciunas scored nine points in under 20 minutes. Now on the brink of elimination, Casey may want to consider giving Valanciunas a heavier workload in Game 6 on Friday; especially after Bismack Biyombo’s pedestrian play on the road (seven points, four boards for Biyombo).
Whereas the Cavs are within striking distance of their second consecutive NBA Finals berth, the Raptors will look to survive in Friday’s 8:30 PM EDT match-up at the Air Canada Centre.
