Raptors center Bismack Biyombo set the tone down low early and often in Game 3 for the Eastern Conference finals as he and the Raptors rebounded (pun intended) for an impressive 99-84 win Saturday in Toronto.
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Biyombo set a playoff franchise record with 26 rebounds, adding four blocks and seven points as Toronto outrebounded the Cavs by 14 and held Cleveland to just 35.4 percent shooting. Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, who were instrumental in leading the Cavaliers to 10 straight playoff wins, combined to go just 4 for 28 from the floor with 16 points.
The Cavs trailed by as much as 18 points in Game 3, and without a presence down low, they hurled up 41 3-point attempts in the game, connecting on just 14, six of which came from J.R. Smith.
In the loss, LeBron James passed Jason Kidd (1,263) for third all-time on the postseason assists list. James led the Cavs with 24 points, adding eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Stud of the night
Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan enjoyed one of the best playoff games, scoring 32 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. It was his ninth 25-point playoff game, most in Raptors history, passing Vince Carter. The Raptors moved to 4-0 this postseason when DeRozan scores 25 or more points.
Dud of the night
Cavaliers forward Kevin Love scored only three points on 1-of-9 shooting with just four rebounds and two assists. His teammate, Tristan Thompson, missed his only shot of the game but did grab eight boards.
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Highlight
Raptors guard Cory Joseph's buzzer beater ended the third quarter to give Toronto a 10-point lead.
Cory Joseph third quarter buzzer beater pic.twitter.com/afznmcR9bw
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) May 22, 2016
What's next
Warriors at Thunder, 8 p.m. ET Game 3 (series tied 1-1): In a series defined by the sharp shooting of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson vs. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the chance to move on to the NBA Finals might come from the big men down low. The Warriors finished with 15 offensive rebounds and 15 second-chance points in Game 2’s win, while the Thunder outrebounded Golden State by eight in Game 1’s win.