The Toronto Raptors find themselves in an 0-2 hole as LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to have their number. Here are three takeaways from the Game 2 loss.
The Toronto Raptors came into Thursday night’s Game 2 once again desperate in the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Once again, it was the Cavaliers who came out victorious, with a 128-110 victory powered by LeBron James and Kevin Love.
The Raptors now find themselves in the worst position they’ve been in this season, and arguably the past few years.
While Game 1 was a lot about shock, Game 2 brought feelings of sadness and pity.
Pick your head up, Chuck 😭. #InsideTheNBA pic.twitter.com/DPR4Gz1YbO
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 4, 2018
Toronto’s loss makes it the second team this postseason to lose both Game 1 and 2 on its home floor. The first team, the Portland Trail Blazers, was swept 4-0 by the New Orleans Pelicans.
If Game 2 was any indication, Toronto could be on its way to joining Portland. The Raptors kept Thursday’s game close early, leading again after the first half, this time 63-61.
63-61 for the Raptors at the half. How you feeling? Good? Good.
— Raptors HQ (@RaptorsHQ) May 3, 2018
The question above was important because this movie had played itself out before. LeBron James (who finished with 43 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds) observes the first half,then pushes into overdrive in the second half, leaving the Raptors in the dust.
And that’s exactly what happened.
https://twitter.com/nbaontnt/status/992204125969567746?s=21
Cleveland eventually went on to defeat Toronto handily by 18. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Raptors were well on their way to losing their second straight home game of the series.
Along with LeBron’s greatness, the King also had additional assistance for the second straight game. This time it was Kevin Love finishing with 31 points and 11 rebounds. George Hill, J.R Smith, and Jeff Green also continued their good starts in the series, finishing in double digits in scoring.
Toronto did its part to match the Cavs offensively as Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan both finished with 21 and 24 points, respectively. Jonas Valanciunas also had another strong game with 16 points and 12 rebounds. In most games, against those numbers would be enough for a win, but against the Cavaliers, nothing ever seems to be enough for the Raptors.
They will have a lot to fix before Game 3 Saturday. Before that happens, however, here are our three takeaways from Game 2.