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Cavs eliminate Raptors to reach their second straight NBA Finals

Xinhua, May 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cleveland Cavaliers finished off Toronto Raptors 113-87 in game six of their Eastern Conference Finals series on Friday evening NBA action to reach their second consecutive NBA Finals.

The 12-time All-Star LeBron James led the way with a team-high 33 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, including 21 points in the first half. He has now scored at least 20 points in 24 consecutive postseason games, tying a personal best.

"We needed LeBron to set the tone for us early, and I thought he did that. At some point LeBron was going to run out of gas," said Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue following the game-clinching win in Toronto. "Kevin (Love) and Kyrie (Irving), we went to those guys and they came through for us."

Irving chipped in with 30 points while Love added 20 points. The 83 combined points by the Cleveland trio is the most they have scored during this postseason.

With the series win, Cleveland hopes to redeem themselves from last year's Finals that both Irving and Love missed due to significant injuries.

"There's definitely a different feeling. I didn't appreciate last year myself personally on getting to The Finals," said James following the win. "Having these guys right here at full strength, having our team at full strength, and the way I feel personally, I appreciate this moment, to be able to be a part of it and to be there once again."

As a native of Akron, Ohio, a city situated sixth miles south of Cleveland, the 32-year-old James is hoping to bring the city their first professional sports championship in over fifty years when the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League won the Super Bowl in 1964.

"I know our city deserves it. Our fans deserve it. But that gives us no sense of entitlement. We've still got to go out and do it," James responded when asked by Xinhua. "We've still got to go out and prove ourselves and be as great as we can be every single night we hit the floor. We look forward to the challenge."

Since joining the NBA in 1970, Cavaliers have reached the NBA Finals twice, losing to San Antonio in 2009 and Golden State in 2015.

The team will look to end the city's drought when the 2016 NBA Finals begin on June 2. Cleveland will play the winner of the Western Conference Finals between Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors. Thunder currently lead the series 3-2. Endit