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  Cleveland Cavaliers stunned by plucky Raptors

Cleveland Cavaliers stunned by plucky Raptors

AFP
Published : May 22, 2016, 11:31 pm IST
Updated : May 22, 2016, 11:31 pm IST

DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points and dominating big man Bismack Biyombo grabbed 26 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors ripped the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-84 Saturday in the NBA playoffs.

DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points and dominating big man Bismack Biyombo grabbed 26 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors ripped the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-84 Saturday in the NBA playoffs.

Cleveland’s 10-game playoff win streak was snapped one shy of the NBA record but the Cavaliers still lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals 2-1 with game four Monday at Toronto.

A Raptors team that was humbled twice at Cleveland sent a message that they were not going to be swept out like the Cavs’ prior foes.

The series survivors will face either defending champion Golden State or Oklahoma City in next month’s NBA finals.

Democratic Republic of Congo 2.06m centre Biyombo matched Dwight Howard and Hakeem Olajuwon for the most rebounds in an NBA playoff game since 1984.

Biyombo also added seven points and four blocked shots, igniting roars from the Canadian crowd as he wagged his finger in the style of retired NBA star Dikembe Mutombo after batting aside Cleveland shots.

The Cavaliers made only 28-of-79 from the floor, a woeful 35.4 per cent, and hit only 14-of-41 3-point attempts while being outrebounded 54-40 — much of those troubles stemming from Biyombo’s big night.

LeBron James led Cleveland with 24 points while J.R. Smith added 22.

Biyombo scored six consecutive points after Cleveland pulled within 85-77 in the fourth quarter to doom any comeback ideas.

Lowry scored 20 points and Cory Joseph came off the bench to contribute 14 as well as tough defense on Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving, who with forward Kevin Love was crucial in carrying the load in Cleveland’s two wins.

Irving was a horrid 3-of-19 from the floor and scored only 13 points while Love made only 1-of-9 from the floor and scored only three points during the period.

Location: United States, Washington