NBA East Finals: Raptors win Game 3 at home, hand Cavaliers first 2016 Playoff loss
[1] Cleveland Cavaliers 84-99 [2] Toronto Raptors [Cleveland leads series 2-1]
DeMar DeRozan recorded a game-high 32 points, center Bismack Biyombo grabbed a franchise record 26 rebounds and Kyle Lowry had 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists as the Toronto Raptors, who were hosting their first ever Conference Finals game, dealt the Cleveland Cavaliers their first loss of this post-season by winning Game 3.
As the numbers suggest DeRozan and Biyombo were the reason why Toronto came away with the win. Biyombo had four blocks in the game, limiting Cleveland to just 20 points in the paint while they had a combined 106 in Games 1 & 2.
Four other Raptors apart from DeRozan scored in double figures as the team rallied and showed some fight after losing the first two games by a combined 50 points. DeRozan provided much-needed offense for the Raptors. He also created some history while doing so:
DeMar DeRozan: 9th 25-pt playoff game (most in Raptors history, passing Vince Carter)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 22, 2016
TOR: 4-0 this postseason when DeRozan scores 25+ pts
The turning point of the game was when Corey Joseph, DeMarre Carroll and Patrick Patterson all hit three-pointers as part of a 16-2 Raptors run during the first half while Lowry was on the bench with 3 fouls.
It did take some bad shooting on the part of the Cavaliers but the Raptors will take it anyway it comes. Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving combined for 16 points on 4 of 28 shooting (14.3%). The entire Cavs team shot poorly from the field (35.4%) with only LeBron James (24 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) and J.R. Smith (22 points) having meaningful contributions.
The loss means the Cavaliers’ interconference record of 17 straight wins is snapped but the team wouldn’t mind the loss. Cleveland opened up their post-season with 10 consecutive wins and were looking to tie the Los Angeles Lakers record of 11 (1989 & 2001) but this loss snaps their run.
With this game, the Cavaliers were also held to less than 100 points for the first time these Playoffs.
If you're the Cavs, you know it took a superhuman effort from DeRozan and Biyombo, and some bad shooting on your part to lose this game. Even if Cleveland can bounce back in Game 4 and get the split, they’ll be more than happy
Game 4 will be played at the Air Canada Center in Toronto on Monday.
Top 5 plays:
Here are the Top 5 plays from Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals: