It is not looking good for the Toronto Raptors. After absolutely gifting game 1 to Cleveland, game 2 was the most important game of the Raptors’ season.
Apparently everyone knew that except the Toronto Raptors themselves.
Powered by 43 points and 14 assists from Lebron James and 31 points and 11 rebounds from Kevin Love, the Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 128-110 to go up 2-0 in their second-round playoff series.
Unlike Game 1 where the Raptors let a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, Toronto did not mess around in game two, blowing a nine-point lead in the second quarter that left them clinging to a two-point lead at 63-61 heading into the half.
The Cavaliers used a 18-5 run at the outset of the third quarter to start to seize control of the contest. J.R. Smith scored six points during that run. Lebron James was good on seven of his ten field goal attempts for 15 points in the game-defining third quarter while Kevin Love added nine.
The Cavaliers would take a 98-87 lead into the fourth quarter and the Raptors would get no closer than that, trailing by as many 22 in that final frame.
In addition to James and Love’s big games, J.R.Smith had 15 points, Jeff Green scored 14 and George Hill contributed 13. In a losing effort DeMar DeRozan scored 24 and Kyle Lowry had 21.
The Raptors will attempt to break their eight-game losing streak against the Cavaliers Saturday night in game 3. If the past is any indicator, their chances are not good,as the Raptors have lost their last 5 playoff games in Cleveland.
