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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:
- (5/18) LeBron James: The Cavaliers are 'ready to handle adversity' when it finally gets here Cleveland.com
- (5/18) Cleveland Cavaliers show offensive versatility and Kyrie Irving becoming the player LeBron James envisioned: Fedor's five observations Cleveland.com
- (5/18) Cleveland Cavaliers dominate and dunk Toronto Raptors in a stunning opener -- Terry Pluto Cleveland.com
- (5/18) Cleveland Cavaliers (We the Midwest) 115, Toronto Raptors (We the North) 84, in East Finals opener: Bill Livingston (photos) Cleveland.com
- (5/18) Kyrie Irving proves to be Game 1 difference-maker, winning the point guard duel with Kyle Lowry Cleveland.com
- (5/18) LeBron James destroyed DeMarre Carroll in Game 1: Joe Vardon's instant analysis Cleveland.com
- (5/18) Cavs Trounce Toronto, Open Series in Style Cavs.com
- (5/18) Cavaliers 115, Raptors 84: Kyrie Irving, LeBron James lead lopsided Game 1 victory Akron Beacon Journal
- (5/18) Cavs 115, Raptors 84; Jason Lloyd's 33 thoughts on Raptors' identity crisis and the Cavs' paint job Akron Beacon Journal
- (5/18) Marla Ridenour: 3-point-loving Cavaliers morph into new offensive style to rout Raptors Akron Beacon Journal
- (5/18) Cavaliers notebook: J.R. Smith being counted on for perimeter defense as well as long-range offense Akron Beacon Journal
- (5/18) Cavaliers clobber Raptors in series opener The News-Herald
- (5/18) Jeff Schudel: Who needs 3s? Cleveland Cavaliers take Game 1 from Toronto with strong inside game The News-Herald
- (5/18) Cavaliers 115, Raptors 84: Cleveland makes it look easy again, trounces Toronto in Game 1 The Chronicle-Telegram
- (5/18) Cavaliers Commentary: Kyrie Irving continues terrific postseason, getting better by the game The Chronicle-Telegram
- (5/18) Dribbles: Game 1? For Cavs, nothing but fun Amicohoops.net
- (5/18) Josh Weir: 'We the overmatched' as Cavs roll in Game 1 Canton Repository
- (5/18) LeBron, Cavs stay perfect, blow out Raptors 115-84 in Game 1 NBA.com
- (5/18) Short and sweet: Cavs simply playing to a higher standard NBA.com
- (5/18) Kyrie Irving living up to LeBron James' MVP premonition as Cavs keep rolling ESPN.com
- (5/18) Cavaliers hit ludicrous speed, crush Raptors in Game 1 ESPN.com
- (5/18) In taking control of LeBron, Tyronn Lue has created a monster in Cleveland CBS Sports
- (5/18) Is the Cleveland Cavaliers-Toronto Raptors Series Already Over? Bleacher Report