Philippines, 16 Dec 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA PLAYOFFS -- Raptors dispose Heat, set East Finals showdown with Cavs


PhilBoxing.com




TORONTO ​-- For the first time in 21 years, the Toronto Raptors are through to the Eastern Conference Finals, thanks to a 116-89 beatdown of the Miami Heat in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday afternoon at the Air Canada Centre.

​The ​All Star backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan ​carried the Raptors with a combined 63 points. Lowry had 35 points and 9 dimes while DeRozan added 28 points, and 7 rebounds. ​punched their ticket into the Eastern Conference Finals with a convincing beat down on the Miami Heat 116-89.

Coach Dwane Casey has always said throughout the course of the playoff that he was going to stick with his All Stars no matter what. After several games in the first round of the playoffs where both DeRozan and Lowry struggled and were criticized for not "showing up", the two Raptors guards​,​ who were key to their regular season success​,​ showed up when it mattered the most.

When asked if he was satisfied with the success they have achieved so far, Lowry responded, "We ain't satisfied that's just our mentality. Internally our goal was to keep playing as long as possible. Yes we're excited but we want to continue to get 4 more wins to get to the ​(NBA) Finals.

Lowry being the competitor that he is further said, "We know we have a tough task at hand but it's still basketball. They gotta lace it up, we have to lace em' up and go at it"

Asked about the thrill of playing in front of the Toronto home crowd, DeRozan said "It's great to have this home crowd, this organization deserves it, this country deserves it. So to see them get to the next step, to somewhere they've never been is just great"

In the final seconds of the game, when it was clear that Toronto ​had Game 7 in the bag​, the raucous fans at the Air Canada Centre started chanting "we want Cleveland". For a city and a franchise that have struggled for so long, this is a well deserved victory.

The Raptors have a big task ahead of them as they will meet LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday in Quicken Loans Arena.

Photo: Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan carried the Toronto Raptors to a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals following a rout of the Miami Heat.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mark Josef.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
    , Mon, 15 Dec 2025
  • Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 15 Dec 2025
  • Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
    , Mon, 15 Dec 2025
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
    , Mon, 15 Dec 2025
  • NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 14 Dec 2025
  • FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Dec 2025
  • Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
    , Sun, 14 Dec 2025
  • Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
    , Sun, 14 Dec 2025
  • Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
    , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
    , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Nesthy faces Indon legend
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
    , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
    , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025
  • Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 12 Dec 2025
  • Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 12 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.