(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND - This game was the tale of two half’s. The first half belonged to the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors shot 64% and scored 79 points in that first half. The Raptors ended the first half on a 27-12 run, to take a 79-64 lead into the locker-room. Toronto shot 11 for 16 from behind the 3 point line, and their bench outscored the Cavs 35 to 11 in that first half. Toronto feed off their bench the entire game as they outscored the Cavaliers 58 to 23 for the game.
The Raptors cooled off in the second half, only scoring 50 points. The Cavs however , they found themselves pulling within 1 of Toronto at the end of 3rd, 99-98. The Cavs starters were a big part of this, all of them scoring in double digits tonight. LeBron James leading the way with a double-double on the night; 35 points, 17 assists, and 7 rebounds. LeBron’s 17 assists and no turnovers was the first time in NBA History that has happened. Kevin Love scored 23 points, going 4 for 6 from behind the 3 point line; none bigger then late in the 4th to put the Cavs up 128-124. George Hill scored 22 points, Jeff Green added 15 points, and Jose Calderon had 14 points going a perfect 4 for 4 from behind the arc.
Kyle Lowery and DeMar DeRozan led the way for the Raptors. Lowery had 24 points and DeRozan added 21 points. Off the bench for Toronto, jakob Poeltl 17 points, and Fred VanVleet had 16 points.
Kyle Korver was not with the team tonight, as he is with his family after the passing of his brother Kirk.
Kipp Cullin\WTAM 1100