Monday 8 May 2017 07:38, UK
LeBron James and the Cavaliers are headed back to a familiar place after sweeping aside another outclassed opponent.
James scored 35 points and Kyrie Irving 27 as Cleveland eased past Toronto, beating the Raptors 109-102 on Sunday to give James his seventh consecutive trip to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
"It's rewarding when you can advance," James said. "It's not just given to you, you have to go out and earn it.
"Once again I'm part of a team that's been able to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. It's going to be my ninth time in 14 years. I'll take those numbers."
Kyle Korver scored 18 points to help the Cavaliers become the first team to win eight straight play-off games the year following a title, and the first team to win eight straight in consecutive post-seasons.
"The fact that we play our best basketball in the post-season lets us know that we're up for the challenge," said James, who had nine rebounds and six assists.
"When LeBron is shooting the 3 ball the way he is, at the rate he's shooting it, they're difficult," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. "It's going to take a Herculean effort to beat them."
The Cavs will face either the Celtics and Wizards - currently tied at 2-2 - in the the Eastern Conference Finals.
