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Raptors return home trailing Cavaliers 2-0 in Eastern Conference final
2016 NBA PLAYOFFS
Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors attempts to pass the ball against Iman Shumpert #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Channing Frye #9 during the second half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals

Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors attempts to pass the ball against Iman Shumpert of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Channing Frye during the second half in game two of the Eastern Conference final on May 19, 2016.

Getty Images/Jamie Sabau

Down two games in the Eastern Conference final, the Raptors have a steep climb if they want to get back in the series, which resumes Saturday at the Air Canada Centre

Jamie Ross

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

Raptors fans are probably tired of hearing about LeBron James, but there he was again last night, front and centre in the Cavaliers' victory over Toronto to help Cleveland take a two-game lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final.

While they took less of a beating, this time losing by only 19 points instead of 31, the Raptors' 108-89 loss to the Cavaliers was another example of Cleveland's all-around supremacy over Toronto.

LeBron, again

James was once again the defining factor. While posting a triple-double he moved past Shaquille O'Neal into fourth spot on the NBA's all-time playoff scoring list, further cementing his status as one of the game's all-time greats.

The King added 11 rebounds and 11 assists to his 23 point effort, helping the Cavaliers improve their undefeated streak in this year's playoffs to 10 games. He also did this:


Lowry lacklustre in loss

Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry has yet to find his stroke in the series, which should be a concern to the team's fanbase. They're running out of time for him to figure it out.

Kyle Lowry reacts during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game two of the Eastern Conference final. Jamie Sabau/GETTY

Lowry notched only 10 points and was 1-for-8 from three-point land.

At one point, near the end of the second quarter, a frustrated Lowry left the bench to "decompress."

With their backs against the wall, the Raptors need Lowry to figure things out, and improve his 1-for-15 from behind the arc, if they're going to get back into the series.

Still, Lowry said all the right things post-game. He is still confident the Raptors can play their way back into the series.

Fan reaction

There was some resignation, a bit of despair, in how Raptors fans handled last night's loss on social media. Here's a sample:

The internet had fun with this one…

MORE FROM THE RAPTORS PLAYOFF RUN

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