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NBA Playoffs: LeBron James & Cleveland Cavaliers Destroy Toronto Raptors

By Dustin Murrell
Published on: 19:31 PST, May 17, 2016

LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and the Cleveland Cavaliers extended their 2016 NBA Playoffs undefeated streak to nine games, taking a 1-0 series lead with the largest margin of victory in franchise post-season history. Kyle Lowry needs to have a much better Game 2 if the Toronto Raptors hope to have any chance at beating Cleveland and moving on to the NBA Finals.

The Cavs appeared to be unstoppable against a Raptors team that has a reputation for under-performing in the NBA Playoffs. After two consecutive series ending in Game 7, Toronto may not have enough left to finish off Cleveland, who swept their opponents in Rounds 1 and 2. Sweeping the Raptors would likely give the Cavaliers another solid rest before facing the winners of the Golden State Warriors-Oklahoma City Thunder series out west.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obDdCvc4WLc

King James will lead the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Toronto Raptors in Game 2 on Thursday.

Cavs-Raptors Game 1 stats

Kyrie Irving had games highs with 27 points, two blocked shots, and five assists (tied with Demar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry of the Raptors). Richard Jefferson came off the bench for Cleveland with a game high 11 rebounds and added nine points. LeBron James was good for 24 points, six rebounds and four assists. Kevin Love was good for 14 points, four rebounds and three assists. None of the Cleveland starters played more than 30 minutes on Tuesday night.

For the Toronto Raptors, DeRozan had a team-high 18 points and tied Kyle Lowry for a team-high five assists. Lowry was held to just eight points. No one from the Raptors had more than four rebounds, as they were out-rebounded as a team by the Cavs 45-23. Demarre Carroll was the only Raptor to register a blocked shot in Game 1 against Cleveland, but he was held to just two points, one rebound, and one assist.

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Western Conference Finals: Warriors vs. Thunder

The OKC Thunder upset the No. 1 seed Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday evening, 108-102. Steph Curry will try to turn things around for the Warriors in the next game at Golden State before two games in Oklahoma City.

Curry was out with an injury before Golden State finished their series in Round 1. He came back to help the Warriors get their fourth win in Round 2. Game 2 from Oakland is Wednesday, May 18. Game 3 and Game 4 in Oklahoma will be Sunday, May 22 and Tuesday, May 24 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Cleveland-Toronto: Where To Watch Game 2

Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors will be Thursday, May 19, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Tickets for the game are sold out, although second market options are available to see Cavaliers vs. Raptors live at The Q for Game 2. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:30 PST and will air on ESPN. Games 3 and 4 will be played Saturday, May 21 and Monday, May 23 in Toronto.

Game 2 of the Warriors-Thunder series will air on TNT Wednesday night, with the game scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m. EST.

[Photo credit Jason Miller/Getty Images]

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