Post Up: Back to the Finals

Cavaliers 113, Raptors 87 (Cleveland wins series 4-2)

The Raptors had received huge boosts from playing in front of the Air Canada Centre crowd throughout the playoffs, but the Cavaliers were simply too much in Friday’s deciding Game 6. After tempers flared early on, Cleveland trounced Toronto for a 26-point victory, riding 63 combined points from Kyrie Irving and LeBron James (who has now clinched six consecutive NBA Finals appearances). As mentioned on the ESPN broadcast, DeMar DeRozan and Bismack Biyombo are each slated for free agency (if they decline player options). After a franchise-best year, it will be interesting to see which players the Raptors retain throughout the offseason.

After a lethargic first half, Kyle Lowry stepped on the gas in the second half for a 35-point showing (18 in the third quarter alone). The Raptors were outclassed from beyond the arc, however, as the Cavs combined to shoot 17-of-31 from downtown. Whether they play the Thunder or Warriors, Cleveland will be a handful to deal with in the NBA Finals.

Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals will take place tomorrow at 9:00 PM EDT in Oklahoma City. Up 3-2 in the series, the Thunder will be in position to clinch a Finals berth on their home court.