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Raptors recap: Bad night for LeBron, but historic for Biyombo
2016 NBA Playoffs
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after being hit in the face by teammate Tristan Thompson #13 during the first half against the Toronto Raptors in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 21, 2016 in Toronto, Canada.

LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after being hit in the face by teammate Tristan Thompson #13 during the first half against the Toronto Raptors in game three of the Eastern Conference final during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 21, 2016 in Toronto, Canada.

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

After many had counted them out, the Raptors scored a decisive victory in Game 3 at the Air Canada Centre. Bismack Biyombo was a beast, and LeBron, by his sky-high standards, was not. Game 4 goes Monday in Toronto

Jamie Ross

This article was published more than 8 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

More from the Globe from Game 3:

Cathal Kelly: LeBron James had a rough Saturday. By his standards, a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Saturday.

Rachel Brady: Toronto Raptors take decisive Game 3 win over Cleveland Cavaliers

Backs against the wall, the Toronto Raptors posted a big 99-84 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final at home Saturday.

After a dismal opening two games in Cleveland, Toronto looked re-energized Saturday as it fought its way back into the series. The contributions came from almost everyone, but perhaps none more important than Bismack Biyombo , who had a monstrous game.

LeBron James took one on the chin, figuratively and literally, and Raptors coach Dwane Casey had some strong words for what he thought was poor officiating.

No JV? No problem

Biyombo was a weapon for the Raptors. He gathered two games worth of rebounds in Saturday's contest to set a franchise record for most rebounds in a game with 26.

Biyombo, who's standing in for an injured Jonas Valanciunas as the Raptors go-to big man in the middle, added seven points and four blocks, and continued to wag his finger like Dikembe Mutombo.

Lowry and DeRozan lead

The Raptors two premiere players were both at their best for the first time in this series. Lowry, who had struggled in Games 1 and 2, hitting only a single three-pointer, looked more like himself. The star guard knocked down 20 points – including four three pointers – to outscore his counterpart, Cavs guard Kyrie Irving (13 points).

DeMar DeRozan, meanwhile, clocked a game-high 40:13 on the floor while adding 32 points to lead the Raptors offensively.

LeBron unhappy

Saturday did not go well for the King, by LeBron standards, anyway. As the Globe's Cathal Kelly reported, the Cleveland superstar took a shot in the chops from his own teammate, and after the loss, wore one on social media as well.

Flying home for game 4. @djstephfloss 😢

A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on

Toronto rapper and Raptors ambassador Drake took a shot at James, furthering the narrative that while he's one of the game's all-time greats, he's also one of the top all-time whiners.

James referenced Jay-Z lyrics in his post-game press conference when speaking about the hard fouls he's been taking, and he knows he can't retaliate.

Casey critical of officiating

The Raptors bench boss might find himself in hot water this morning. Casey had some pointed comments for what he saw as biased officiating against his team, specifically Biyombo.

From the fans

MORE FROM THE RAPTORS' PLAYOFF RUN

Though there are no moral victories in the postseason, this was as close as you can get. Kelly: What if Lowry made shots? What if the Raps played harder? What if LeBron wasn’t LeBron?.
What went wrong for the Raptors in Game 1 against Cleveland? Everything Cathal Kelly revisits Toronto's struggles from the opening game for the Eastern Conference final
Average isn’t close to good enough if the Raptors want to beat the Cavs Cathal Kelly believe's the Raptors will have to overachieve in order to beat the Cavs in a seven-game series.