2016 NBA East Finals: Cavaliers remain unbeaten in Playoffs, take 2-0 series lead
The Cleveland Cavaliers made easy work of the Toronto Raptors for a second game in a row, cruising to a commanding 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland’s Game 2 win is also their 10th consecutive these Playoffs, making them only the fourth team to start a post-season 10-0, after the 1989 Los Angeles Lakers, 2001 Lakers and 2012 San Antonio Spurs.
LeBron James led from the front, recording a triple-double of 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, his career’s 15th in the Playoffs. The triple double also made him the player with the most 20 points triple-doubles (3), surpassing Magic Johnson, who had 12. Kyrie Irving had a game-high 26 points, Kevin Love chipped in with 19 as Cleveland has now won 17th straight Playoff games within their own Conference.
The biggest problem for the Raptors has been and will be trying to contain James. Despite having DeMarre Carroll, they simply have no answer for the Kings, who started Game 2 on fire, scoring or assisting on the Cavaliers first 16 points of the game.
In Game 2, Toronto hung around lot longer than they did on Tuesday but they just lack the talent on the squad to compete with these red hot Cavaliers. Although the Raptors’ starting lineup change was made to be more competitive, this stat didn’t make it seem too positive:
The Raptors starting lineup tonight (Lowry, DeRozan, Carroll, Scola, Biyombo) has played together in 16 games for 133 minutes this season
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 20, 2016
The change in the line-up did help the bench more than the starting unit, as Patrick Patterson and Terrence Ross helped the bench tie the scores at 46. However, the Cavaliers closed out the half on 16-2 run, allowing them to head into the locker room with a comfortable 14 point lead.
Being in the situation they were, it was important for the Raptors to start strong but once again their leaders failed. Kyle Lowry had all five of his turnovers in the first half, his most in a half in his Playoff career, to go along with his mere 10 points, 3 assists on 28.5% shooting. His starting backcourt mate DeMar DeRozan did have 22 points but once again it came on 8 of 18 shooting and with 2 turnovers.
Right through these Playoffs, the Raptors have depended on their guards to carry them like they did in the regular season but both have majorly disappointed so far. The duo combined for 7 of the team’s 12 turnovers, and have had a historically bad shooting post-season.
Game 3 will be played on Saturday at the Air Canada Center in Toronto.