LeBron James, Cavaliers leave history in the past as they face Raptors again

The Star | May 2, 2017

Toronto’s poor record in series openers meant little to a Cleveland team preoccupied with winning right now.

LeBron James, right, and the Cavaliers won their first three meetings against the Raptors in the regular season, all before Christmas. Toronto won the season finale, with many of the stars on both teams sitting all or most of the game..

INDEPENDENCE, OHIO—If you’re into past performances, records suggested another rough night for the Toronto Raptors.

In the 12 playoff series the Raptors had contested before Mpnday, they had managed only one opening-game victory. The LeBron James-era Cavaliers, meanwhile, had never lost the first game of a conference semifinal they had entered on more than five days’ res.