With some remarkable three-point shooting and more milestones from LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised to a 125-103 blowout win over the Toronto Raptors to take a 2-0 series lead.
Cleveland drained 18 shots from beyond the arc, including 10 in the first half, as they built a double-digit lead in the opening minutes and never looked back. LeBron made four threes on the night, making him the fourth player in NBA Playoffs history to make at least 300 career three-pointers in the postseason, but that was just the start of his night.
James also passed Kareem Adbul-Jabbar to move into second place on the NBA Playoffs all-time scoring list. He now only trails Michael Jordan.
LeBron James is now the 4th player to make 300 three-pointers in #NBAPlayoffs history!! #DefendtheLand #NBA pic.twitter.com/LjPqRc9KGK
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 3, 2017
.@KingJames is now 2nd all-time on the #NBAPlayoffs scoring list, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with this bucket! #DefendtheLand #NBA pic.twitter.com/rmwNy9m60B
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 4, 2017
LeBron finished the game with 39 points, six rebounds and four assists.
The Cavs opened the game on a 19-9 run and held a sizable edge throughout the course of the game, leading 62-48 at halftime. However, a 21-8 run to close the third quarter is what finally broke the game open and turned this into a blowout. Kyrie Irving (22 points, 11 assist) and LeBron scored 36 of Cleveland's 37 points in the decisive third quarter.
.@KingJames rises up and throws the hammer DOWN! #DefendtheLand #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/wJjSTMEH3Q
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 4, 2017
LeBron & Kyrie account for 36 of the @Cavs 37 points in the 3rd quarter on @NBAonTNT! pic.twitter.com/Oi8YdbFlmV
— NBA (@NBA) May 4, 2017
Channing Frye was the only other Cavs player who scored in double figures. He contributed 18 points (5-6 from deep) off the bench. The 125 points scored by the Cavaliers is the most in a playoff game in franchise history.
Toronto was led by 23 points and five rebounds from center Jonas Valanciunas, who was benched before the game due to his struggles in recent games. Despite scoring 19 of those points in the first half, the rest of the team was unable to capitalize. DeMar DeRozan was the main guy who struggled, scoring just five points on 2-11 shooting.
Kyle Lowry did well for the Raptors with 20 points and five assists, but he was limited by an ankle injury that ultimately ended his night early.
Game 3 of this series will be in Toronto on Friday at 7:00 pm ET on ESPN.
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