Biyombo's 26 rebounds helps Raptors in game 3 win over Cavs

Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo grabbed a franchise-best 26 rebounds in the team's 99-84 victory over Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday evening. Cleveland leads the seven game series 2-1.

After recording 10 rebounds in the first quarter, Biyombo finished with 16 at half and 21 after three quarters. In total, the native of Democratic Republic of Congo finished with 18 defensive rebounds, eight offensive rebounds, seven points and four blocks in the game three victory.

"He was huge. I thought he played a big-time game in the paint," said Raptors head coach Dwane Casey following the game in Toronto. "That's what he does. He's one of the top rebounders in the league."

Biyombo's monster night on the glass eclipsed two rebounding records that used to be held by teammate Jonas Valanciunas, who he is currently out with a right ankle injury. His 18 defensive rebounds and 26 total rebounds surpassed Valanciunas' 14 defensive rebounds and 19 total rebounds.

With Valanciunas still out with an ankle injury, Casey has been forced to go to Biyombo, who is less polished offensively but an improvement on the defensively end.

"He knows who he is. He knows what he can do. He knows his role on the team," added Casey. "He understands his role, and he accepts it, and he understands he has limitations. So you don't have to say anything to a guy like Bismack."

At the end of the third quarter, Biyombo had one point and 21 rebounds on two field goal attempts.

"That's what he does," an unsurprised Casey said. "To get rebounds, almost like he reminds me of a guy like [Dennis] Rodman going for the rebounds. He knows where the ball is coming off, he has a sense of where it's coming off, and he does a good job doing that."

Despite his coach's comparison to Hall-of-Famer Rodman, Biyombo is trying to create his own legacy.

"It's great, and I appreciate it, but at the end of the day, I'm Bismack Biyombo," said the 5th year veteran. "I've learned a lot from Dennis Rodman, all the great players that played before me. But again, at the end of the day, I am me, and Dennis Rodman is Dennis Rodman."

With Biyombo's Rodman-like performance, Toronto out-rebounded Cleveland 54-40. Biyombo was also an integral part of the defence that held Cleveland to 35.4 percent shooting and prevented Cleveland from reaching the century mark in points for the first time during the postseason.

The series resume Monday in Toronto as Raptors try to even Cavaliers at two games. Endit