Raptors outlast Cavs in Game 4 to even up East finals: 5 things to know

Toronto's stars come up big as LeBron James vanishes down the stretch

By Matt Moore

May 24, 2016 at 1:06 am ET • 3 min read

Five thoughts after the Toronto Raptors evened the series with the Cavaliers with a 105-99 victory in Game 4 ...

1. The Raptors stars showed up

Throughout the playoffs, the Raptors have struggled to get a game where Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan both played well. Finally, in Game 4, Lowry and DeRozan combined for 67 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and both shot over 50 percent (28-for-43). Not only that, but they both hit shots in their comfort zones. DeRozan slicing through defenders to hit tough contested shots at the rim with his athleticism, and Lowry knocked down 3-point shots off the dribble and slipped to the rim for underhanded drifts off the glass.

The Raptors have looked unimpressive throughout the playoffs, largely on account of the struggles of Lowry and DeRozan. Their role players have carried them, and each have had games here and there, but as recently as Game 2, there were questions about Lowry's mental makeup. Instead the comfortable abode of Air Canada Centre unlocked both of their games and for the first time, they looked truly comfortable, like their regular-season selves.

If they've finally shaken off whatever had plagued them since that Round 1 game against the Pacers, the Cavs are in a lot more trouble than we thought.

2. The Cavaliers' defense failed all over

Kyrie Irving had made real progress on the defensive end, but Games 3 and 4 were big steps backward. Lowry torched Irving, and once that began, the Cavs' entire defensive structure faltered. The Raptors made the Cavaliers pay for their smallball lineups using Channing Frye, who revealed the reason he was so cheap on the trade market: He's a poor rebounder and defender.

The Raptors shot 54 percent from the field and despite not getting to the line until the second half, finished with 10 more free throws than Cleveland. The Cavs were always one step behind, trying to catch up in their rotations. All the issues they'd shown all year that had vanished in the postseason came flooding back. Credit Raptors coach Dwane Casey for making the necessary adjustments, but Cleveland's defense looked vulnerable. Whether that's a matter of scheme or execution, the Cavs have some things to figure before Game 5.

3. Kevin Love went down and then didn't play in the fourth

Love tripped on an official's foot and limped to the bench. He said later he "tweaked his knee" and expects to play in Game 5. Tyronn Lue said that after being out for so long, he didn't feel it was right to put him back in cold. That was the second time in two games Lue has made that call and it's going to create an uncomfortable narrative over the next 48 hours.

The "where does Kevin Love fit in with the Cavaliers" narrative is back.

4. LeBron James was silent down the stretch

James failed to score in the final 5:28 of the fourth quarter, so we're going to do this entire song and dance again. If LeBron James single-handedly saved the arena full of people by lifting it on his shoulders and physically carrying it out of a flood, people would complain he got their shoes wet. James had eight points in the final quarter, and the Raptors decided to load up on the paint after the Cavs scored on 14 straight possessions in the fourth quarter, many resulting in straight-up dunks.

James tried to find Irving on a cut, but the Raptors defended it well. He kicked to an open Frye, who missed a 3-pointer. Same deal with Matthew Dellavedova. Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith dribbled the life out of some possessions.

People will assert that James should have walked up in those situations, big-timed his teammates, taken the ball, drove through five defenders and laid up the ball off the face of the heavens like true closers do.

You can bet you're going to hear a lot about this before Game 5.

5. Bismack Biyombo continued to dominate

The Raptors' backup big man continued his rampage on the glass with 14 boards, had three huge blocks and another that was called a foul on LeBron James in the first half. Biyombo's presence made a huge difference in building the Raptors' big lead, and he secured the clinching offensive rebound that led to the dagger floater from DeRozan. Biyombo wagged his finger all night long and continued to be the difference-maker the Raptors needed in protecting the rim which allowed Toronto to stifle the Cavaliers' perimeter action.