The Cleveland Cavaliers have crushed the Toronto Raptors 116-78 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals to take a 3-2 lead in their best of seven series.
The Cavaliers took an early edge and never relinquished it, the recent struggles of Kevin Love put firmly to the side as the forward stroked his way to 19 first half points on a perfect 6-6 shooting.
The hosts set a new NBA Conference Finals record for halftime leads, taking an enormous 65-34 advantage into the interval.
The punishment continued for the Raptors in the second stanza, the Cavs hot shooting and rebounding dominance taking them out to as much as a 35 point lead in the third quarter, essentially ending the contest.
The Cavs 'big three' each posted impressive numbers; Kyrie Irving with 23 points, LeBron James notching 23 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Love finished with 25 points on 8/10 shooting.
James and co now have an opportunity to advance to their second NBA Finals in as many years with a win on Saturday (NZT) in Game Six back in Toronto.
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Newshub.
