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2016 East Finals: LeBron and the Cavaliers eliminate Raptors in Game 6, book second straight Finals berth

LeBron James celebrates with teammate J.R. Smith after clinching the Eastern Conference for the second straight season.

[1] Cleveland Cavaliers 113-87 [2] Toronto Raptors [Cleveland win series 4-2]

Cleveland Cavaliers take care of business on the road clinching the Conference Finals against the Toronto Raptors and booking an NBA Finals berth for the second straight year. Since LeBron James returned to Cleveland in the summer of the 2014 the Cavs have been exceptional at closing out series’ on the road, winning every possible series clinching game on the road [4-0]. Game 6 against the Raptors was no different.

Unlike Games 3 & 4, Cleveland were in command right from tip-off and never let go. They jumped to 14 point lead at halftime and never let the Raptors come close. Kevin Love stepped for a second consecutive game with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists while Kyrie Irving had 30 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. 

However, it was LeBron James, who led from the front, once again logging heavy minutes (41) and ensuring the win. He recorded 33 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks en route to his six straight NBA Finals appearance. He becomes the eight-player ever, first non-Boston Celtics player ever and the first since 1950 to achieve such a feat. Lesser known fact-veteran James Jones also joins that list having been in ever NBA Finals that LeBron has played in, whether it’s with the Miami Heat or the Cavaliers.

LeBron James also did this:

 


Clinching the series the Cavaliers also became the first team to win on the road in these Eastern Conference Finals. 

For the Raptors, their All-Star guards Kyle Lowry (35) and DeMar Derozan combined for 65 points but it obviously wasn’t enough. No other player scored in double figures providing no help to their guards to provide some competition. 

These Conference Finals might not have been the best way for the Toronto franchise to bow out, losing their four games by an average margin of 29 points but it was a still a season of great success. They registered their highest regular season win total in franchise history with 56 games, won their first Playoffs series since 2001 and made it to their first-ever franchise appearance at the Conference Finals stage.

This game was also a tribute to the loyal Raptors fanbase. Despite it’s team being out of the game in the closing couple of minutes, fans in the arena stuck around till the final buzzer and chanted “Let’s go Raptors” on Raptors’ possessions which would have made no impact on the result of the game. 

Cleveland Cavaliers will now face the winner of the Western Conference Finals series between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The NBA Finals begin on Thursday, the June 2nd. 

LeBron Masterclass

Here are LeBron James’ first half highlights (21 points), including an alley opp from Kyrie Irving:

 

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