LeBron scores 35 in Cavs win over Raptors

CLEVELAND — LeBron James considered swigging a beer while scoring 35 points, Kyrie Irving added 24 and the Cleveland Cavaliers picked up where they left off following a long layoff and throttled the Toronto Raptors 116-105 on Monday night in the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal.

The Cavs hadn’t played since April 23, when they completed a four-game sweep of Indiana. But the defending champions didn’t show signs of rust and were well-prepared to face the revenge-seeking Raptors, who lost to Cleveland in last year’s conference finals.

Toronto dropped to 1-12 in playoff openers. Game 2 is Wednesday night. “As a team I think we had great energy, and even some

Cavaliers 116, Raptors 105

of the mistakes that we had we were able to cover up for because our energy level was high,” James said. “But we’ll be a lot better on Wednesday.”

Kyle Lowry scored 20 and DeMar DeRozan 19 for the Raptors, who were within seven in the third quarter before James dropped a 3-pointer, converted a three-point play, drained another 3 and then considered washing down a brew.

After drawing a foul on a missed layup, James playfully hopped toward the sideline, where a courtside server was passing by. The three-time champion reached and grabbed a beer bottle from her tray and brought it toward his lips before putting it back.

By then, he and the Cavs had already downed the Raptors.

With trade acquisitions Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker, this Toronto team seemed better equipped to beat Cleveland than the one which lost in six games in last year’s playoffs.

Trouble is, James only seems to be getting better.

After nearly averaging a triple-double against the Pacers, he reminded the Raptors that to move on they’ll have to beat him.

Before the game, Toronto coach Dwane Casey talked about the big comebacks that have been a theme in these playoffs. The Raptors blew a 25-point lead to Milwaukee in the first round, while the Cavs overcame a 25-point deficit and pulled off the biggest second-half rally in playoff history.

CAVS Tony Dejak / AP

Cleveland’s LeBron James (left) drives past Toronto’s DeMarre Carroll in the first half of Monday’s playoff game in Cleveland.