NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Raptors end Cavaliers’ post season winning streak

nba-eastern-conference-finals-raptors-end-cavaliers-post-season-winning-streakThe underrated Toronto Raptors had their revenge against the Cleveland Cavaliers at a 99-84 win in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

Have the Raptors finally found their rhythm to beat the Cleveland, like what they did during the regular season, or was it just tough luck for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love?

It wasn’t good for the Raptors in Game 1 and Game 2, but it was a total turnaround as the Raptors beat the Cavs on home turf cutting their series deficit to 2-1.

DeRozan hit the shots he needed and led the Raptors with 34 points. Kyle Lowry was back with 20 points after two bad games in Cleveland. Cory Joseph added 14, and Patrick Patterson and DeMarre Carroll each had 10 for the Raptors.

Bismack Biyombo was the highlight of the night as he set a Toronto playoff record with 26 rebounds, helping hand the Cavaliers their first loss this postseason. The Cavs won their first 10 playoff games and were trying to match the Los Angeles Lakers’ record of 11 straight victories to begin a postseason. The Lakers did it in 1989 and again in 2001.

The Cavaliers were held below 100 points for the first time in these playoffs. LeBron James scored 24 points, and J.R. Smith, whose points starting to matter in the box score, had 22. Kyrie Irving scored 13 points, and Channing Frye had 11 for Cleveland. Matthew Dellavedova played after suffering a sprained left ankle in Game 2.

Toronto beat the Cavaliers at home twice in the regular season, but lost in its only visit to Cleveland.

If being at home matters so much for the game of Raptors, the Eastern Conference Finals’ Game 4 and 6 (if necessary) will still be in Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Does this mean that Raptors can actually have a chance against the Cavaliers?

Betting Odds

Cleveland Cavaliers -6

Toronto Raptors +6

Odds Courtesy of OddShark