CLEVELAND -- For the third time in as many years, the Cleveland Cavaliers have beaten the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of their playoffs series Only this time, the cut is much deeper, the loss far greater.
Behind LeBron James' triple double performance -- 26 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists --- the Cavaliers wiped out a 13-point third quarter deficit to stun the Raptors in overtime, 113-112, on Tuesday night at the Air Canada Centre.
This time, unlike the Pacers series in which his supporting cast was spotty at best, James' teammates delivered. J.R. Smith hit for 20 points wile Kyle Korver drilled five triples for 19 points. Jeff Green had 16 and Trsitan Thompson chipped in 14 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.
Kevin Love made only 3-of-13 fielf goals but Cleveland converted 14 triples and scored 20 points off 13 Toronto turnovers to stem the tide..
With the weary Cavs just off their seven-game series against the Pacers, the Raptors jumped on Cleveland and led by 14 after one quarter. Toronto maintained a five-point lead after the third quarter. But hings unraveled in the final 12 minutes where the Raptors made only five of 24 field goals and missed 11 straight shots that enable the Cavaliers to force overtime and win in the extra session.
DeMar DeRozan paced the Raptors with 22 while Jonas Valanciunas had a monster night, 21 points and 21 rebounds. Kyle Lowry added 18 points and 10 assists.
Up 1-0 in this Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cavs go for the commanding 2-0 lead when Game 2 resumes Thursday night (Friday morning i Manila) at the Air Canada Centre.
Photo: LeBron James had one of his "worst games of the season," but his 26 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists was still enough to beat the Raptors in overtime, 113-112, to take a 1-0 series lead.
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