Raptors vs. Cavaliers: Game 1 Score and Twitter Reaction from 2016 NBA Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers finished a mere one game ahead of the Toronto Raptors during the 2015-16 regular season, but they looked worlds apart on Tuesday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.    

Cleveland established control of the series with an overwhelming 115-84 victory at Quicken Loans Arena in a contest that was never in doubt in the second half. The Cavaliers turned a five-point lead at the end of the first quarter into a 22-point halftime lead by winning the second quarter, 33-16, and never looked back.

Too Easy Cavs defeat the Raptors in Game 1, 115-84Take a 1-0 series lead (9-0 this postseason) https://t.co/OrkTVqN6jZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 18, 2016

Kyrie Irving was fantastic for the defending Eastern Conference champions with 27 points, five assists, two rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while LeBron James added 24 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. They were the two best players on the floor and never gave the Raptors much of a chance.

ESPN Stats & Info noted Cleveland joined some impressive company with the win:

Cavaliers: 5th team in NBA history to start 9-0 or better; record for most wins to begin a postseason is 11 (Lakers in 1989 and 2001)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 18, 2016

Toronto did receive 18 points and five assists from DeMar DeRozan but couldn’t overcome a subpar effort from its star point guard, Kyle Lowry. Lowry tallied eight points on a mere 4-of-14 shooting and turned the ball over four times against Cleveland’s stifling defense. 

The Cavaliers took the floor on Tuesday for the first time since May 8 but didn’t look anywhere near rusty after Toronto bolted out to a 7-0 lead. They shot a scorching 68.4 percent from the field and built a 33-28 advantage in the opening 12 minutes behind 12 points from Irving and eight points each from James and Kevin Love.

Mike Prada of SB Nation said, “Toronto is understandably worried about giving up [threes], but some of this perimeter defense is just terrible regardless,” while Derek Young of Scout.com highlighted an ominous trend for the Raptors in the first 12 minutes:

Everything Toronto makes is contested. Everything Cleveland makes isn’t challenged. That’s not a winning formula for the …

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