This LeBron James one-hander at the buzzer gave the Cavs a 3-0 lead in their series against Toronto. ap
CLEVELAND— The moment required brilliance. LeBron James delivered again.
James banked in a running one-hander at the buzzer, giving the Cleveland Cavaliers a 105-103 win over Toronto on Saturday night (Sunday morning Philippine time) in Game 3 and shoving the Raptors to the edge of their most devastating playoff exit.
The Boston Celtics also took a 3-0 lead after escaping with a 101-98 overtime victory against Philadelphia in the other Eastern semis series.
After the Raptors tied it on rookie OG Anunoby’s 3-pointer with eight seconds left, James took the inbounds pass, dribbled the length of the court and rose off the floor on the left side of the basket just feet from Toronto’s bench.
Glass. Bucket. Bedlam.
“Tie game, down one,” James said. “I live for those moments.”
James finished with 38 points, Kevin Love added 21 and 16 rebounds and Kyle Korver scored 18 for the Cavs, who have won nine straight postseason games over the Raptors and may sweep them for the second straight year.
It was the fifth career postseason buzzer-beater for James, the second of these playoffs.