Post Up: Raptors Rebound

Raptors 99, Cavaliers 84 (Cleveland leads series 2-1)

Raptors coach Dwane Casey enjoyed big nights from DeMar DeRozan (32 points) and Bismack Biyombo (franchise playoff record 26 rebounds) as Toronto earned a much-needed Game 3 victory. The Raptors received help from their second unit, as Cory Joseph and Patrick Patterson came off the bench to score 24 combined points. As is often the case in sports, winning cures all ills, and Kyle Lowry’s Game 2 departure has been made a moot point after Saturday’s W.

The Cavaliers weren’t without solid performances. LeBron James shot 9-of-17 from the floor in a 24-point night, and J.R. Smith tallied six 3-pointers of his own. Cleveland’s supporting cast wasn’t up to par, however, as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love combined to shoot a woeful 14 percent from the field. Channing Frye hit three treys off the bench, and Richard Jefferson added five points in limited minutes, but the Cavs were hard pressed to keep the game competitive throughout much of the fourth quarter.

The Cavaliers will look to put Game 3 in the rear-view mirror on Monday, when they take on Toronto at 8:30 PM ET for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Alternatively, if the Raptors can seal a second straight victory, the series will head back to Cleveland knotted up at 2 games apiece.