When it comes to teams with the most series-clinching victories, the NBA’s defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers are now in rare company.
After dispatching the Toronto Raptors in Game 4 of yesterday afternoon’s Eastern Conference Semifinal round, the Cavaliers have tied the 2000-04 Los Angeles Lakers for most consecutive closeout wins in the playoffs.
Elias
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, no team has done that since the NBA went to a seven-game series format in 2003.
“Winning time,” Kyrie Irving said after yesterday’s 109-102 closeout win over the Raptors. “Just understanding the magnitude of the game, what was at stake. We needed that. We needed to be tested throughout 48-minute games. One of the hardest things to do is sweep teams.”
During his post-game media availability yesterday afternoon, Raptors head coach Dwane Casey dubbed the Cavaliers “a well-oiled machine”. Coach Casey silenced any doubt of whether or not the champs have flipped the proverbial switch.
“They’re a well-oiled machine, playing on all cylinders right now,” coach Casey said. “Any time you have No. 23 (LeBron James), you can flip every switch you want to. … He is the difference. They did flip a switch. They are a totally different team defensively and definitely offensively.”