Cavaliers win both games in Toronto to take 2-0 series lead

The Raptors were supposed to be the better team. After their best season in franchise history and LeBron James dragging a Cavs team to the playoffs, this was to be the year. Instead, after two games in Toronto, the Cavs have a two game lead, heading back home to Cleveland in the drivers seat.

LeBron James was absolutely sensational in Game 2, recording 43 points, 14 assists, and eight rebounds. He had seven fadeaway jumpers in the second half, which were just demoralizing to Toronto. He looked as good as ever as he ripped the hearts out of the city.

He also got a ton of help from Kevin Love, who had 31 points and 11 rebounds. It was nice to see Love start to get back to his All-Star form. He really had a horrible series against the Pacers and seemed to really struggle with the physicality of that Indiana team. Tonight, he feasted down low, many times with Toronto having CJ Miles guard him, a strategy that did not work.

This feels bad for Toronto. It’s hard to imagine this series turning around for them. A 2-0 deficit is hard enough to overcome. But a 2-0 deficit against LeBron James? Yikes.

Cavs 128, Raptors 110 - End of 4Q

It happened. The Raptors are now down 0-2 to the Cavs and now are heading to Cleveland for the next two. LeBron James finished with 43 points, 14 assists, and 8 rebounds.

Cavs 121, Raptors 101 - 3:30 4Q

This has turned into complete LeBron James domination. He has 43 points, 14 assists, and 8 rebounds.

Cavs 98, Raptors 87 - End of 3Q

It honestly feels like a miracle the Raptors are only down 11. LeBron James absolutely put on a clinic in the third quarter and it feels like this game should be over. James is up to 31 points and Kevin Love has 27.

Cavs 79, Raptors 68 - 7:50 3Q

This is bad for Toronto. This is so bad. Kevin Love has 21 points. LeBron James has 20 points and 12 assists. This third quarter has been brutal for the Raptors.

Cavs 69, Raptors 63 - 10:17 3Q

The Raptors just called a timeout. The Cavs are on a 16-2 run dating back to the third quarter. It’s silent in Toronto.

Raptors 63, Cavs 61 - Halftime

Kevin Love has really shown up tonight. He’s got 18 points and seven rebounds in the first half alone. This is big news for the Cavs.

Raptors 54, Cavs 45 - 4:50 2Q

Raptors coming alive, meanwhile, look who’s back.

Raptors 46, Cavs 40 - 6:59 2Q

Kyle Lowry continues to lead the way for the Raptors with 13 points and he’s 5-of-5 from the field. The Raptors bench has 16 points, Cavs have 10.

Raptors 29, Cavs 26 - End of 1Q

LeBron James took a seat again with about three minutes to go in the first quarter. This is the same thing he did in Game 1. The bad news for the Raptors is that they let the Cavs close the gap while James got rest.

Kevin Love and Kyle Lowry lead the way with 10 points each.

Raptors 25, Cavs 18 0 3:15 1Q

Kyle Lowry already has 10 points in the first quarter!

Raptors 12, Cavs 10 - 6:55 1Q

The Raptors have five fast break points to start this game. When you play the Cavs, you need to push the ball and Toronto is doing that early.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers stole Game 1 from the Toronto Raptors in Canada on Tuesday night, 113-112, in an overtime that featured a ton of misses around the rim from the No. 1 seed. In fact, they missed five shots in the final seven seconds of the game that could’ve meant the win.

The Raptors fell into their “choker” narrative, leading for 47 minutes and 17 seconds of the 48 minutes of regulation. Their stars were solid, with DeMar DeRozan scoring 22 points on 20 shots with seven rebounds and five assists. Kyle Lowry had 18 points and 10 assists, but the rest of the Raptors offense grew stale as time elapsed. Jonas Valanciunas missed a number of easy ones, finishing 7-of-19 from the floor, and just like that Toronto conceded home-court advantage.

How to watch Cavaliers vs. Raptors Game 2

Date: May 3

Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto

Time: 6:00 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

LeBron James didn’t even play particularly well for his ridiculous standards. He triple-doubled with 26 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, but shot just 12-of-30 from the field. He only made 1-of-6 free throws too, and needed every bit of J.R. Smith’s and Kyle Korver’s combined 10-of-18 three-point shooting.

Aside from the on-court drama, there was some off it too. Cavaliers bench big Kendrick Perkins got into a verbal altercation with rapper and basketball superfan Drake.

Will that continue during Game 2?