NBA Playoffs: Raptors get victory in must-win game against Cavaliers

One of my favorite Drake songs is called “Know Yourself” from his 2015 album If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late. The title is self-explanatory: Drake raps about the virtues of being honest with oneself while chiding his invisible competitors for posturing as something they’re not. It’s an ode to knowing one’s limitations and strengths, then discovering greatness within that knowledge.

This is important because we have to ask an important question: What the hell was Kevin Love thinking trying to dunk on Bismack Biyombo?

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

THE NORTH REMEMBERS: So much for the Cavaliers marching unimpeded to the NBA Finals. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan went big at home as Toronto won 105-99 to tie the series 2-2. Kevin Love had another bad night, and Cleveland shot just 31 percent from long-range. Those shots falling in Games 1 and 2 didn’t fall in Games 3 and 4.

Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers came down to the wire, and Toronto coach Dwane Casey was INTO IT.

Like sliding his feet on defense around the sideline despite not actually playing in the game levels of into it.

The Raptors led 13-5 early, but once Frye came in, the Cavaliers went on a 15-7 run to get back into the game. The Raptors continued to play well, though, and took a 27-24 lead after one. Lowry poured it on in the second quarter -- he had 15 in the frame and 20 in the first half -- as the Raptors lead grew to 18 at one point and went into the half with a 57-41 lead.

The Cavaliers weren’t done yet, though. Irving was spectacular in the third, and the Cavaliers cut the lead to nine heading into the fourth.

It’s not often you see LeBron James on the wrong side of a confrontation at the rim. He was here, even if he was bailed out when referees called a foul on what looks like a clean block. James went up for a huge throw down, and Biyombo met him at the summit to deny that effort.

The Raptors weren’t credited with a block in the first half, clearly a stat that needs an asterisk after this.

I mean, if this isn’t sass ...

and then the feelings of pure joy and the weight off your shoulders when finally seeing a foul called against Delly ...

Drake is a man of many talents, one of which is being very demonstrative on the sidelines of Toronto basketball games.

Poor Drake :(

Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas will return to the lineup from a sprained right ankle, giving the Raptors a boost in Game 4 as they attempt to even their Eastern Conference Finals series with the Cavaliers at two.

Valanciunas will come off the bench, so presumably he will play limited minutes. Bismack Biyombo will continue to start for the Raptors.

Green was assessed a Flagrant 1 penalty and allowed to stay in the game, even though this was the second time he had hit Adams in the groin this series. Adams was kneed in the groin by Green in Game 2, also during a Green drive. Adams -- who is also dealing with a right thumb injury and sore back, among other injuries -- was not happy about that play afterward.

Adams was once again annoyed at Green following Game 3.

After striking Raptors big man Bismack Biyombo in the groin on Saturday, Cleveland forward Dahntay Jones has been suspended by the NBA for one game. Jones, who has a history of accidentally irritating opposing players, will miss Monday’s Game 4 in Toronto.

Raptors coach Dwane Casey was vocal about the various non-calls on Biyombo in Game 3. He vented his frustration during the pregame conference:

Dahntay Jones entered Saturday night’s Raptors-Cavaliers game in garbage time. Four seconds later, he smacked Bismack Biyombo in the junk:

Jones, one of Cleveland’s deepest bench players, found himself matched up against Biyombo, who has been absolutely critical for Toronto since the loss of Jonas Valanciunas. Perhaps the smack was accidental, as Jones does appear to be out of control and flailing. But if this was an accident, it’s awfully convenient that it happened literally four seconds after Jones entered the game. And Jones has a bit of a history for this sort of thing.