featured-image

Daily News - May 18, 2016

**NOTE: The news clips and articles listed don't necessarily reflect the views or beliefs of the Cleveland Cavaliers or their Basketball Operations staff, partners, or sponsors.**

Cleveland Cavaliers dominate paint, throttle Toronto Raptors in Game 1, 115-84
Author: Chris Haynes
Publication: Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Cavaliers have proved during this postseason that they can really shoot the ball from the outside. Now they've proved they can really score from inside.

On Tuesday evening in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers embarrassed the Toronto Raptors and their scheme by way of a 115-84 throttling.

Cleveland (1-0) took what the defense gave them and attacked the rim in scoring a whopping 56 points in the paint. Toronto (0-1) didn't want to be on the receiving end of a three-point whipping, so they chose to give up dunks and layups. - CLICK HERE to read full story.

Toronto Raptors aren't buying Cleveland Cavaliers as 'super team'
Author: Chris Haynes
Publication: Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Despite being on the losing end of a 115-84 trouncing in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Toronto Raptors insisted Tuesday night that a deep Cleveland Cavaliers squad does not intimidate them.

"We beat them [in the regular season], so we don't feel like we have anything to fear like they're a super team or anything," Terrence Ross told cleveland.com. "But we're just going out there to play our game and compete."

The fourth-year guard said moments before the game that he found solace in the knowledge that they took down the reigning Eastern champs twice in the three meetings during the course of the season. - CLICK HERE to read full story.

Cleveland Cavaliers Playoff Scribbles: Toronto Raptors surprised by Cavs quickness -- Terry Pluto
Author: Terry Pluto
Publication: Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Cleveland Cavaliers notebook the day after their 115-84 victory over the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

1. One of the most interesting comments after the game was by Dwane Casey. The Toronto coach mentioned the "speed of the game ... the quick pace ... and foot speed" being much different than what his team faced in the first two rounds against Miami and Indiana. That's exactly what the Cavs wanted to happen -- play faster. It was a major goal when Tyronn Lue took over at midseason as head coach.

2. The concept of playing faster is not limited to fast breaks. It's about the ball moving quicker from man-to-man. It's about players actually cutting to the basket or moving to different open spots on the court to create spacing. Toronto made a decision to defend the shooters on the 3-point line. Because of the Cavs' excellent spacing and ball movement, that left the middle of the court open. Kyrie Irving and LeBron James drove to the rim, over-and-over-and-over again. - CLICK HERE to read full story.

More Daily Press Links: