LeBron James, Jonas Valanciunas
BEAST mode LeBron James usually emerges deep in the playoffs when the stakes are much higher.
But, after dismantling the Indiana Pacers in a series sweep, The King has elevated his game to the next level.
And the Toronto Raptors are his new victims.
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James was unstoppable against the Toronto Raptors. Picture: AP Source: AP
James topped his superb Game 1 performance with a 39-point epic in just 37 minutes that led the Cavaliers to an easy 125-103 victory and a 2-0 series lead.
“Feeling pretty good,” James said after the game.
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“My teammates do a great job of putting me into position, my coaching staff do a great job of putting me in a position to be successful.
“I put a lot of work into my craft and I live with the results.
“Just blessed I’m able to make a few plays tonight to help us win another game.”
Just like in Game 1, the Cavs jumped out to a 12 point lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.
James usually eases into the playoffs and defers to teammates, but he appears on a mission this year. He passed Lakers’ great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second in the NBA’s all-time playoff scorers and now trails only Michael Jordan on that list.
“Just blessed, very blessed and I’ve taken advantage of the opportunity I’ve been given,” James said.
“I didn’t take it for granted and I still don’t, even At 32.
“When you hear a name like Kareem a guy whose done so many great things ... this is somebody that you read about ... his accomplishments and things he was able to do
“So that’s pretty cool.”
And it looks like his woes at the free throw line are behind him, after he made 15 of 21 from the charity stripe.
Teammate Kyrie Irving dished out 11 assists to go with his 22 points and big man Channing Frye stepped up off the bench, draining five-three pointers on his way to 18.
Things did not go well for DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors in Game 2. Picture: Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP
It helped that Raptors star DeMar DeRozan again went missing in a key game, held to just five points on two of 11 shooting and backcourt running mate Kyle Lowry spent the last quarter in the locker room icing a sprained ankle.
In fact, the bench almost outscored the starters, 51-52, thanks to 23 from big man Jonas Valanciunas and 22 from guard Cory Joseph.
Cleveland has hammered the Raptors in each of their past five playoff meetings — by an average margin of 24.2 points and they head home to Toronto with some serious work to do.
James Harden had no answers against the Spurs today. Picture: Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP
The Raptors might have to take some inspiration from the San Antonio Spurs, who after being whacked in their series opener with the Houston Rockets, roared back with a dominant display to square the series.
The Spurs did a number on MVP candidate James Harden in the 121-96 victory, holding the Rockets star to just 13 points on a woeful three of 17 shooting.
And his running mates were unable to pick up the slack, dominated by the Spurs on both ends of the floor.
Kawhi Leonard exploded with 34 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Tony Parker had 18 points before being carried off the court after suffering a knee injury in the fourth quarter.
Aussie Patty Mills played 21 minutes and finished with seven points. The series now shifts to Houston.
Tony Parker had to be carried off the court after suffering a knee injury. Picture: Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP









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