Raptors Eliminate Heat, Advance to NBA East Finals

The top two seeds in the NBA Eastern Conference will meet in the East Finals. The Toronto Raptors beat the Miami Heat 116-89 on May 15th to win their semifinal series four games to three. They will now face the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Game 1 of that series scheduled for May 17th in Cleveland.

All five Toronto starters scored in double figures for the Raptors in the Game 7 victory over Miami. Kyle Lowry led the way with35 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, and four steals. Bismack Biyombo (17 points, 16 rebounds) and Patrick Patterson (11,11) had double doubles, and DeMar DeRozan contributed 28 points and 8 rebounds.

As impressive as that performance was, the Raptors will have their hands full with top seed Cleveland. The Cavaliers swept both of their playoff series, beating Detroit and Atlanta. Toronto went to seven games in both of its series, beating Indiana in the first round. Toronto took two of three from Cleveland during the regular season.