Raptors vs. Cavaliers: Game 2 Score and Twitter Reaction from 2016 NBA Playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ reign of dominance over the Eastern Conference has reached the point where the Toronto Raptors lost by 19 points Thursday and still improved from their last effort.

Cleveland defended home-court advantage and seized a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 108-89 victory. It was closer than Game 1 of the series, which saw the Cavaliers march to an overwhelming 115-84 win Tuesday in a contest that was rarely in doubt.

Raptors can’t touch the Cavaliers as they take a 2-0 series lead https://t.co/FOqxQ8bGEK

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 20, 2016

The defending Eastern Conference champions are still undefeated in the postseason, thanks largely to the Big Three of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. James posted a triple-double Thursday with 23 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, while Irving (26) and Love (19) combined for 45 points.

Toronto attempted to slow James down with a physical brand of defense in Game 2, but it was to no avail. He attempted 17 free throws during the contest and would have finished with even better numbers had he made more than nine.

The Raptors received 22 points and five rebounds from DeMar DeRozan, but he couldn’t make up for the poor performance by backcourt mate Kyle Lowry. Lowry tallied 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field and 1-of-8 shooting from three-point range. He also turned the ball over five times and was a far cry from the point guard who averaged 21.2 points per game this season.

Zach Harper of CBS Sports pointed out the Raptors are losing at a level rarely seen this deep into the playoffs:

Raptors down 50 in the series after two games. Worst margin of defeat over a conference finals is the 2001 Spurs. -89 in sweep by Lakers.

— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) May 20, 2016

The Cavaliers picked up where they left off in Game 1, jumping out to a quick 16-9 lead in less than five minutes. ESPN Stats & Info noted James was dictating the pace with his scoring and passing:

LeBron James scored or assisted on the first 16 points of the game for the @cavs prior to Kyrie Irving’s layup pic.twitter.com/OrQbrTRdVV

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 20, 2016

James finished the first quarter with six points and six assists, but Toronto took advantage of an extended period when he was on the bench and climbed back into the game. Irving answered and drilled a jumper on Cleveland’s final …

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