Trailing the Toronto Raptors by double-digits with less than six minutes to go in the third quarter, the Cleveland Cavaliers found themselves in need of a spark on Tuesday night. As is often the case, LeBron James did his best to provide just that -- and then some -- throwing down a monster alley-oop dunk off an inbounds pass from Jeff Green in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in Toronto.
James' dunk came with the Cavs trailing Toronto by 13 points and helped trim the Raptors' lead to 78-67 with 5:21 remaining in the third quarter. Although the 4-time MVP was called for a lane violation on the ensuing free throw, Cleveland proceeded to reel off a 13-5 run, cutting Toronto's lead to 87-82 entering the fourth quarter.
In 30 minutes of action, James has scored 19 points to go along with 9 assists and 8 rebounds. After not receiving much help in the Cavs' seven-game victory over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, he has received aid in the form of double-digit performances from Green, J.R. Smith and Kyle Korver on Tuesday night.
After sitting the final 2:33 of the third quarter, James figures to play most -- if not all -- of the final period. And if his first three quarters were any indication, his inbounds dunk won't be the last time he leaves his imprint on the outcome of Game 1.
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