There’s a reason they call LeBron James “The King.”
James and the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised to another blowout victory over the Toronto Raptors, this time by a 108-89 final in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
The game was close for most of the first half, and the Raptors even were tied the game at 46 with four minutes remaining before halftime. But Cleveland closed the half’s final 240 seconds on a 16-2 run to put the game away.
James finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, his 15th career playoff triple-double, second all-time behind only Los Angeles Lakers great and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
There’s also this.
James also passed Shaquille O’Neal for fourth place on the all-time playoff scoring list, and he put an exclamation point on both the win and his stat line with this breakaway reverse jam.
But the triple-double wasn’t the night’s only headline. Cleveland is now 10-0 this postseason, tied with the 2012 San Antonio Spurs for the second-best start to an NBA postseason ever. The record of 11 wins is shared by the 2001 and 1989 Lakers. Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue also gets his name in the record books, passing Pat Riley (9-0) for the best playoff record to begin a coaching career.
It also was the 17th consecutive playoff win for the Cavs in the Eastern Conference playoffs, setting a new NBA record since the current playoff format was instituted.
The series now shifts back to Toronto for Games 3 and 4, but that’s where the “good” news stops for the Raptors: James’ teams are 17-0 in playoff series in which they’ve gone up 2-0.
James’ reign hasn’t ended, but Cleveland’s championship drought might conclude sometime next month.
Thumbnail photo via David Richard/USA TODAY Sports Images
