CLEVELAND (AP) – The home team has won every game so far in the NBA’s Eastern Conference final. The Cavaliers won the first two, and then the Raptors turned around and won the next two. This evening the best-of-seven series returns to Cleveland and if the Cavs drop a third straight, their season could be in jeopardy as the next game is back in Toronto. Game 6 will be played in front of the Raptors’ fans Friday night.
The Golden State Warriors put together winning streaks of at least three games on eight occasions during the regular season en route to an NBA-record 73 victories. They will need one more three-game win streak to advance to the Finals for the second straight year. The Oklahoma Thunder lead the Western Conference finals three games to one after their second straight blowout win over the Warriors. Russell Westbrook had a triple-double of 36 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds as the Thunder rolled to a 118-94 rout of Golden State. Kevin Durant finished with 26 points and 11 boards, while Andre Roberson delivered 17 points and 12 boards. Oklahoma City torched the Warriors for 72 points by halftime for the second consecutive game. The Warriors opened the third quarter on a 17-6 run to cut a 19-point, halftime deficit to 78-70 midway through the period, but the Thunder never led by fewer than seven the rest of the way. Oklahoma City dominated the final period, outscoring the Warriors 24-12 to get within one victory of their second trip to the Finals, and their first since 2012. Klay Thompson was high man for the Warriors with 26 points. Stephen Curry added 19 points but shot just 6-for-20, including 2-for-10 from 3-point range. The Thunder can close out the series Thursday in Oakland.
