Cavs’ long wait is over

Associated Press

INDEPENDENCE

As the score became more and more lopsided in Toronto, LeBron James started to change.

And as the final seconds ticked toward all zeroes on the clock, James took one last look at the scoreboard at the bottom of the TV screen and decided it was time to get serious again.

“Uh, 114-86,” James said, relaying the Raptors’ huge lead over the Miami Heat in the waning moments of their Game 7. “That’s when I flipped the switch.”

James and the Cavaliers are back in playoff mode. Bring on Toronto.

After a week of waiting for an opponent, the Cavs finally learned they’ll face the Raptors, who clobbered Miami 116-89 on Sunday to earn their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals. Toronto’s delirious fans chanted “We want Cleve-land!” down the stretch and they’ll get what they wanted: a well-rested Cavaliers squad in Game 1 on Tuesday night.

Kyle Lowry scored 35 points, DeMar DeRozan had 28 and the Raptors advanced to the conference finals for the first time in franchise history.

Bismack Biyombo added 17 points and 16 rebounds for the Raptors.

James chose his words carefully as he discussed the Raptors, who won two of three against the Cavs during the regular season.

“We’re a totally different team than the regular season,” James warned