The first semifinal of the Eastern Conference of the NBA solved after the extension in which the Cavaliers of Toronto prevailed at home to the Raptors of Toronto by 112-113, whereas the Warriors of Golden State, that returned to count on Stephen Curry, beat the Pelicans (121-116).
The Warriors dominate the tie at the best of seven 2-0.
The forward LeBron James returned to be the great figure of the Cavaliers to provide a triple double of 26 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds. Along with James, guard J.R.Smith also found his best inspiration and scored 20 points that helped the victory of the Cavaliers (0-1) who now have the field advantage.
Another important player of the Cavaliers was the escort Kyle Korver who scored 19 points, including the triple that put his team ahead on the score in extra time.
Korver’s basket from outside the perimeter at the start of the extension gave the Cavaliers the partial 105-108 that would be decisive.
Center Tristan Thompson, who has also started to be a winning factor in the playoffs, contributed a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds that helped the triumph of the Cavaliers, who have eliminated the Raptors in the last two playoff competitions.
The Lithuanian pivot Jonas Valanciunas, with a double-double of 21 points and 21 rebounds, was the leader of the Raptors; He imposed his dominance in the paint, but failed six of the seven shots he made in the fourth period that allowed the Cavaliers to get back into the game.
Lowry also contributed a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists, while star guard DeMar DeRozan reached 22 points.
Curry made a decisive comeback, after six weeks out of the competition with an injury to his left knee, providing 28 points as a reserve that allowed the Warriors to overcome the Pelicans again.
Curry, who played 27 minutes, scored 8 of 15 field goals, including 5 of 10 triples, and 7-7 from the personnel line, in addition to capturing seven defensive rebounds, splitting two assists, recovered three balls, lost six and they pointed out two personal faults.
The series moves to New Orleans, where on Friday the third game will be played at the Smoothie King Center, Pelicans field, and the fourth will also have the same stage, on Sunday.
Forward Kevin Durant added 29 points as the Warriors’ leading scorer, including a decisive 3-pointer with 3:10 minutes left to give the Warriors the definitive lead.
Durant also delivered seven assists and grabbed six rebounds that helped the Warriors get the fourteenth consecutive win in the final round at their Oracle Arena.
Power forward Draymond Green has recovered his best form and contributed a double-double of 20 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, in addition to having the difficult mission of scoring center Anthony Davis, the leader of the Pelicans.
Davis claimed once again as the best of the Pelicans to get a double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds, which in the end could not prevent the defeat of the New Orleans team. Base Jrue Holiday also stood out with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
While another baseman, veteran Rajon Rondo, maintained his great level of individual play with a monumental double-double of 22 points and 12 assists. efe
