| |
|
NBA -- LeBron scores 43 to put Raptors in a 2-0 hole
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 04 May 2018
CHICAGO -- LeBron James picked a good time to belt his best performance in these 2018 NBA playoffs.
The four-time NBA MVP sank 19 of 28 field goals and finished with 43 points, eight rebounds and 14 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers trounced the Toronto Raptors, 128-118, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday night at the Air Canada Centre.
Cleveland now leads that series, 2-0, with Games 3 and 4 scheduled at the Quicken Loans Arena in Ohio.
Kevin Love was also terrific with 31 points and 11 rebounds while the rest of Cavs supporting cast did their fair share. J.R. Smith scored 15, Jeff Green had 14 and George Hill added 13.
The odds of Toronto getting out of this hole are impossibly long. In the history of the NBA playoffs, teams that have gotten into a 2-0 deficit are 19-273 while LeBron is 21-0 when up 2-0.
DeMar DeRozan led Tornto with 24. Kyle Lowry had 21 and eight dimes while Jonas Valanciunas registered 16 points and 12 boards. Toronto lost despite shooting 54.3 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 90.9 percent at the free throw stripe.
The Raptors led by nine in the second quarter and nursed a 63-61 halftime bubble. But they fell apart in the third quarter where the Cavs went on an 18-5 spurt and led by as many as 23.
"We stopped defending...We stopped rebounding...We were discombobulated," Raptors head coach Duane Casey told reporters after the Game 2 blowout/
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026“It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Date set for Manny-Money 2
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 20262 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Doors open for Manny
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
