Raptors come alive in Game 3 win over Cavs

The Toronto Raptors had counted on the home crowd to give them a boost.

Bismack Biyombo made absolute sure they did.

The Congolese big man grabbed 26 rebounds a franchise record for the playoffs to lift the Raptors 99-84 over Cleveland as the NBA Eastern Conference final moved to the Air Canada Centre on Saturday, handing the Cavaliers their first loss of the post-season.

"It was amazing, man," DeMar DeRozan marvelled of Biyombo's night. "Protecting the rim. He was big-time tonight. Without him, we probably wouldn't get this win."

DeRozan scored 32 points, while Cory Joseph had 14, and DeMarre Carroll and Patrick Patterson finished with 10 apiece.

But the brick wall that is Biyombo, who wagged a finger like Dikembe Mutombo on his four blocked shots, was the Raptors' motor, thriving on the energy of the Air Canada Centre crowd and giving it back to them in spades.

"He's just kind of the spirit of our team," coach Dwane Casey said.

When the 23-year-old scored three consecutive baskets during a key late stretch for Toronto, Biyombo made like Usain Bolt in celebration. He waved his massive arms to get the crowd cheering.

They needed little prompting.

"It felt like [Biyombo]got every rebound out there, the energy he brings is unbelievable," Joseph said.

LeBron James scored 24 points to top the Cavs, who went 10-0 to open the post-season, two shy of San Antonio's NBA record set in 1999.

The Raptors are considered big underdogs against the Cavs, they'd lost their two opening games in Cleveland by a combined 50 points, and had been all but written off.

But back in front of an ACC crowd of 20,207 fans including country singer Shania Twain and retired NFL star Terrell Owens Toronto shrugged off the fatigue of what's been a gruelling post-season schedule and painstakingly put together an 18-point lead by the second quarter. A three-point buzzer-beater by Joseph sent them into the fourth with an 80-70 advantage.

Biyombo to the rescue

The Raptors missed eight straight shots in the middle of an ugly fourth quarter to allow the Cavs to pull within eight points, but Biyombo's three straight buckets had them back up by 14 with 3:38 to play.

With the Air Canada Centre crowd on its feet as the clock ticked down, Lowry drilled a three with a minute on the clock that was bonus points on a game that was all but over.

Biyombo said he "got the license" to use the finger wag from Mutombo.

"He was telling me how I haven't given you permission to use my finger yet," Biyombo said, flashing a wide smile. "But I love him. He's like my big brother, and I've had several conversations about him, especially defensively, how he was able to impact the game.

"Of course once he gave me permission to use his finger wag, then I guess I just want to leave his legacy and make sure that I show him some love as my big brother."

Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said he wasn't bothered by Biyombo's wag.

"They were kicking our butts, so he should have the right to wave his finger until we do something about it," Lue said.