Cavaliers make paint their home in Game 1 win
It was the kind of romp that was thought to be possible, but was still very impressive nonetheless.
The Cleveland Cavaliers won by 31, becoming the fifth team to win its first nine games in a single postseason. The record is 11 such wins, set by the 1989 Lakers (who lost in the NBA Finals) and the 2001 Lakers (who won the NBA title).
Dating back to last season, the Cavaliers have won 16 straight playoff games. Cavs coach Tyronn Lue is 9-0 in the postseason to begin his coaching career, matching Pat Riley for the best start by a head coach.
It was the second-biggest Game 1 win in LeBron James’ career. The Heat beat the Knicks by 33 in 2012.
The Raptors are now 1-10 in Game 1s, the worst record among current franchises.
Total domination
The Cavaliers won this game in the paint, outscoring the Raptors there 56-36. The Cavs made seven 3-pointers, an unusual total considering they’ve averaged 17 this postseason.
James had the best shooting game of his postseason career, making 11-of-13. As you can see from the image, all of his baskets came in the paint. His five dunks were his most in a postseason game.
James was 7-of-7 with DeMarre Carroll as a primary defender. Carroll limited James to 4-of-10 shooting in the three games the Cavaliers and Raptors played in the regular season.
Kyrie Irving was a smidge worse than James, making 11-of-17.
The combined 22-of-30 by James and Irving was their highest combined field goal percentage (73 percent) in any game as teammates.
Looking ahead
James’ teams are 20-2 in series in which they’ve won Game 1. The last loss was in the 2011 NBA Finals (to the Dallas Mavericks).
Our Basketball Power Index gives the Cavaliers a 78 percent chance to win this series.
