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Cleveland Cavaliers “rapt” up the eastern conference last night

By Zachary Senvisky

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 13: LeBron James PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 13: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 13, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 129-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 13: LeBron James PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 13: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 13, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 129-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Even when the Cleveland Cavaliers are not 100 percent, they prove time and time again they are the class of the eastern conference.

The Cleveland Cavaliers sent a message to the rest of the eastern conference Wednesday night. They defeated the top-seeded Toronto Raptors 132-129 with five rotation players missing from the lineup.

Yes, you read that right. Somehow, the Cavaliers conquered the Raptors after being forced to start Jose Calderon and Jeff Green, despite giving up a season-high 79 points in the first half, trailing by as many as 15.

Somehow, they beat a Raptors team that just ended the Houston Rockets’ 17 game winning streak but how?

LeBron James is how! The King set the tone for Cleveland posting an absurd 35 points, 17 assists, and 7 rebounds with 0 turnovers in 39 minutes. Kevin Love scored 23 points and had 12 rebounds in his second game back returning from a broken hand.

The chemistry between James and Love hasn’t skipped a beat. All eight of Love’s three-pointers over the last two games have come off assists from LeBron. According to ESPN, the following James has been on one impressive streak:

"Over his past 19 games, dating back to Feb. 7, James is averaging a triple-double with 30.5 points on 55 percent shooting (40.6 percent from three-point territory), 10.4 rebounds and 10.5 assists.The 80 total points he scored or assisted on against Toronto was the second-highest total he has ever accounted for in the 1,349 games he has played in the regular season and playoffs combined, according to ESPN Stats & Information data."

The Cavs are now winners of four of their last five games. They can continue to build momentum with matchups against the lowly Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets coming this weekend.

Reinforcements are on their way as well. Larry Nance Jr. (Hamstring), Rodney Hood (Back), Tristan Thompson (Ankle), Kyle Korver (Personal) and Cedi Osman (Hip Flexor) were not available to play against the Raptors. However, they are expected back within the next couple games. Head coach Ty Lue should also be on pace to return from his leave of absence sometime next week.

Interim head coach Larry Drew told ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin that the Cavs win over the Raptors may be a breakthrough point for the team:

"“I always say there is one game during the season that changes your team.” “That game can be early, it can be midway, it can be late. There’s always one game that kind of changes your team, the mindset. And I really believe tonight’s game might have done that for us.”"

I happen to agree with Drew. LeBron is playing his best basketball at the right time and the Cavs will only get healthier. These last few games sent a message to the Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks that even with the Cavs not 100% healthy, they still will be a force.

The Raptors’ record against the Cavs in the playoffs the last two years is 2-8. The Celtics are dealing with injuries to Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart. Boston hasn’t had playoff success against the Cavs either, sweeping them 4-0 in 2015 and 4-1 last season. The Bucks went 1-3 against the Cavs this season and don’t really have a head coach.

The Cavs have 11 games remaining on the schedule. The odds they can catch Boston or Toronto in the standings are slim, but home court doesn’t really matter.

Next: Absence of Kevin Love by the numbers

James lead teams have won a road playoff game in 29 of the last 30 playoff series. Important games left against the New Orleans Pelicans (March 30), Raptors (April 3), Washington Wizards (April 5) and Philadelphia 76ers (April 6) give them multiple opportunities to build momentum heading into the postseason. Time to capitalize!

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