The Toronto Raptors were playing an elimination game win or go home. The Raptors played today's game accordingly, they took control of the game for the first ten minutes of the game leading the Cleveland Cavaliers 26-17. But, the Cavaliers quickly answered back to end the first quarter tied 28 -28.
The second quarter is where the Cavs were able to create some distance from the Raptors. Kyle Korver was a key contributor to the Cavs second quarter run, Korver scored 16 points in the second quarter. Korver scoring outburst leads to the Cavs leading the Raptors 61-49 at the half.
In the third quarter, the Raptors showed the Cavaliers; they weren't going home easily. DeMar DeRozan found a way to get his shot off even with the constant double teams. Serge Ibaka hit several key jumpers in the third quarter to keep the Raptors in striking distance. Norman Powell even helped by hitting a few jumpers of his own. P.J. Tucker defense kept the Raptors in containment. At the end of the third quarter, the Cavs lead the Raptors 85-80.
In the fourth quarter, Kyrie Irving made it be known that the Raptors season was ending today and there would be no game five. Kyrie Irving scored the Cavs last 11 points from the six-minute mark to the two-minute mark.
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors 109-102. The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the winner of the Boston Celtics-Washington Wizards series in the Eastern Conference Finals.
LeBron James finished with 35 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Kyrie Irving finished with 27 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and four steals. Kyle Korver finished with 18 points and five rebounds off the bench. Channing Frye finished with ten points off the bench.
Serge Ibaka finished with 23 points. DeMar DeRozan finished with 22 points, eights assists, and four rebounds. Cory Joseph finished with 20 points, playoff career-high 12 assists, and six rebounds. P.J. Tucker finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals. Norman Powell finished with ten points off the bench.
We will soon see how the Raptors front office operates this off season, to either keep the core group or shake things up, and go after other free agents this summer.
