THE Cleveland Cavaliers recovered from a poor start to edge the Raptors in a tense overtime finish, 113-112, on Tuesday in the opener of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday in Toronto (Wednesday, Manila time).
Top-seed Toronto took control early with a 33-19 first quarter but the Cavaliers managed to claw back and eke out a huge road win.
LeBron James hit the shot that tied it at 105 in regulation and the Cavaliers went on to edge out the Raptors in the extra session.
James finished with a triple double of 26 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds.
JR Smith had 20 points.
Kyle Korver hit a triple for the first basket in overtime and wound up with 19 points as the Cavs came up with a big road win after an exhausting seven-game first round series against the Indiana Pacers.
Game Two is on Thursday in Toronto.
Tristan Thompson had a double-doube of 14 points and 12 rebounds, Jeff Green scored 16, while Kevin Love had seven points and 13 rebounds.
Jonas Valanciunas has 21 points and 21 rebounds, while DeMar DeRozan scored 22.
Kye Lowry also had a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists.
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