NBA: Toronto off the roll – LeBron James demonstrates the Raptors

The Cleveland Cavaliers also won their second game at the Toronto Raptors. In the second half the Cavs take the hosts apart according to all rules of the art. LeBron James led the Canadians after the break and made sure that Cleveland won 128:110 (BOXSCORE).

No changes on either side and Toronto got off to a better start after some nervous sequences, as the Canadians had economies of scale especially under the boards. LeBron James was not a big factor at first, but Kevin Love was increasingly sought after, who could even do a little damage in the mail. On the other hand, Kyle Lowry, who scored his first four litters, felt it, but thanks to Love the Cavs were only three points behind (26:29).

But the bank of Raptors made a better impression this time. Fred VanVleet controlled the events and also helped Jakob Pöltl to make light points. But the Austrian defensively revealed some weaknesses, which Jeff Green was able to exploit in his favour. Toronto’s offense looked more pleasing, however, the ball movement fit and the open threesomes were sunk. But since James and Love could hardly be stopped now, Toronto only had a minimal lead (63:61) in the break.

And it couldn’t have gone any worse for the hosts: The Cavs came out of the cabin with an 8-0 run, while Lowry picked up his fourth foul with a batch. Suddenly the triple was there for Cleveland and in no time at all the guests had taken a double-digit lead. The Raptors looked desperate and coach Dwane Casey bet on a lineup without a real big, allowing the Cavs to score at will.

At least Toronto could score some points now, but when LeBron met wild stepback jumpers it got pretty quiet in the Air Canada Centre. The Cavs entered the final section with a 98:87 lead.

Hope for Toronto? This topic was already finished after only two minutes. First Green hit from the corner with the siren, then LeBron followed up with two incomprehensible turnaround jumpers (87:105). And with this tempo it went on, James made one heavy throw after the other – not because he had to, but because he could. 3’30” before the end, Coach Ty Lue took pity on Toronto and took his star off the field with a 20 point lead.

James finished the game with 43 points (19/28 FG, 2/3 trio and 14 assists, matching LeBron’s career high in the playoffs. He was supported by Love (31, 11/21 FG, 11 Rebounds), who played his best game in this year’s playoffs. George Hill (13) and again Green (14, 4/6 trio) also relieved LeBron in parts. Only the backcourt from Lowry (21, 7/10 FG, 8 assists) and DeMar DeRozan (24) could score consistently for Toronto, and VanVleet (14) scored four long-range shots. Pöltl (8) did well, but was not the solution for Toronto on Center. Valanciunas (16, 12 rebounds) recorded a double-double.

Toronto Raptors v Cleveland Cavaliers 110:128, Series 0:2 (BOXSCORE)

LeBron James. The Raptors just don’t know how to stop the Cavs’ star. LeBron didn’t have to take jumpers at first and didn’t have to work really hard for his points. Especially his dimes were in a class of their own at the beginning of the second half. Later he also ran out of the middle distance and demoralized the Raptors with completely crazy turnaround jumpers, the game turned into a training session for the King in front of 20,000 spectators. The Raptors could only watch in amazement.

Serge Ibaka. It’s just awful what Air Congo made there. Already at the beginning of the first and third quarter he lost the ball at the center line, after the break Raptors coach Dwane Casey wetted after only 80 seconds. His throw was non-existent, so the Cavs could mostly hide Korver in the defense. The Congolese did not return, even if Toronto needed him in defence. His statline: 12 minutes, 2 points 0/5 FG, 6 rebounds.

With the mute of despair, Raptor coach Dwane Casey went to an ultra-small line-up with Pascal Siakam on center after the debacle of the first minutes in the second half. This was a courageous but probably not very sensible step. The Cavs kept looking for Love in the mail, who did what he wanted with C.J. Miles. LeBron had no problems with Siakam at all. But after four minutes Casey finished the experiment again and brought Pöltl to slow down Love a bit. However, it was incomprehensible why O.G. Anunoby, the Raptors’ best defender against LeBron, spent most of the time on the bench after the break.