The Cavaliers waltzed into the Eastern Conference finals, completing a second-round sweep of the Raptors with a 109-102 win at Toronto.
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Cleveland has not lost a game in the first two rounds of the two most recent postseasons, becoming the first team in NBA history to start 8-0 in back-to-back playoffs.
The Cavs' Game 4 win also marks an NBA-record 11th time LeBron James’ team has swept its opponent out of the playoffs. James set the record with Cleveland’s first-round sweep of Indiana last month, the 10th playoff sweep of his career.
Cavs are 16-0 in first two rounds in past two postseasons.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) May 7, 2017
While coming back from a 3-0 series deficit was an unrealistic expectation even for the most diehard Toronto fan, the Raptors tantalized the home crowd early, building an 11-point lead with 2:38 left in the first quarter.
But, as we learn over and over again, rarely is a lead safe in the NBA, particularly against a team of Cleveland’s caliber. By the end of the quarter, the game was tied, 28-28.
GALLERY: The Best of Game 4: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors
The Cavs took control after the break, leading by as many as 14 in the second quarter, holding a 61-49 advantage at halftime, and opening their lead to 19 in the third.
While the usual suspects — James and Kyrie Irving — led the way for the Cavs with 35 and 27 points, respectively, Kyle Korver keyed Cleveland’s second-quarter run. The reserve scored 16 of the Cavs’ 33 points in the period, making six of his seven field-goal attempts (4 of 6 from 3-point range).
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving combined to score or assist 92 of the Cavs' 102 points today
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) May 7, 2017
Korver finished with 18 points, following a 14-point Game 3 performance, when he shot 5 of 7 from the field (4 of 6 from long range) in Cleveland’s 115-94 win.
Toronto didn’t go quietly Sunday, though, battling back to take a 93-92 lead on a 3-point play by Serge Ibaka with 6:38 left in the game.
That prompted the Cavaliers, particularly Irving, to get serious again, as they regained the lead for good on their next possession on a 3-pointer by the point guard. Irving scored 11 of Cleveland's final 17 points.
The Cavs can now rest up for the conference finals as they await the winner of the Wizards-Celtics series. With Boston leading 2-1 and Game 4 set for Sunday night in Washington, the earliest that series can end is Wednesday night in Game 5.