The Delta Democrat-Times from Greenville, Mississippi • A9

XDELTA DEMOCRAT-TIMES Thursday, May 4, 2017 9X Lebron scores 39, Cavs rout Raptors in Game 2 TOM WITHERS Associated Press CLEVELAND Unstoppable. Untouchable. Undefeated. Back on the playoff stage, where starred so many times before, LeBron James is making things look easy. James scored 39 points, hopped Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the career playoff scoring list and pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 125-103 blowout over the Toronto Raptors in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Wednesday night.

And while he may not win another regular-season MVP, James is again showing that May and June belong to him. feeling pretty he said, downplaying his break-neck start to this postseason. blessed able to make a few plays tonight to help us win another Just like a year ago in the confer- ence finals, the Cavs are up 2-0 on the Raptors, who had better figure some things out or this series will be over quickly. Toronto was blown out for the fifth straight time in Cleve- land in the playoffs, losing each by an average of 24.2 points. take our butt whupping and head said Raptors coach Dwane Casey.

Game 3 is Friday night at Air Canada Centre, where the Raptors will have the crowd on their side. However, they have James, who has won a road game in 27 con- secutive series and appears deter- mined to toss Toronto aside. He finished 10 of 14 from the field, dropped four 3-pointers and 15 free throws. did miss six free cracked Kyle Lowry. playing unbelievable.

playing like LeBron James. We got to figure out a way to not let him beat us, which is easier said than In last nine playoff wins, James is averaging 34.9 points, 10 rebounds and 8.1 assists. Kyrie Irving had 22 points and 11 assists and Channing Frye scored 18 points for the reigning champions, who are 6-0 so far defending their title. Cleveland is 9-0 since losing Game 4 of last NBA Finals. defending champs and what they look like right Lowry said.

The Raptors start Jonas Valanciunas, but he led them with 23 points. Toronto only got five points from All-Star DeMar DeRozan, who make his first field goal until the first minute of the fourth quarter. Of bigger concern might be the status of Lowry, who sprained his left ankle in the third quarter. Lowry scored 20 points but spent the fourth quarter in the locker room icing his ankle. pretty Lowry said after limping onto the postgame podium.

painful, but not going to complain about it. Get treatment and get ready to play in Game James came in needing 25 points to pass Abdul-Jabbar, and he over- took the Hall of Fame center with a 3-pointer in the third quarter, when he scored 17 and helped the Cavs open a 26-point lead. James (5,777 points) now only trails Michael Jor- dan the player to whom he has been compared since he was a teenager, for the most points in post- season history. hear a name like Kareem, a guy done so many great things, not only as an individual but as a James said. ning championships in the and things of that nature and how many points put up.

somebody you read about. I get an oppor- tunity to actually watch him play growing up, but I just read about his accomplishments and things he was able to do, so, pretty Tip-ins Raptors: In part because of the small lineup, Toronto was outre- bounded 13-2 in the first quarter. Toronto lost the first two games in Cleveland last year by a combined 50 points. This year, 33. series has gone Casey said.

played well, we shake their hand. They played well, but we scratched the surface of where we can Cavaliers: Frye made five 3s and the Cavs made their first eight while going 18 of 33 from long range. Dating to 2015, Cleveland is 30-4 17-1 at home against Eastern Conference teams in the postseason. James also became the fourth player with 300 career 3-pointers in the postseason, joining Ray Allen (385), Reggie Miller (320) and Manu Ginobili (312). Lineup switch Casey started a smaller lineup, benching the 7-foot Valanciunas and forward DeMarre Carroll in favor of guard Norman Powell and forward Patrick Patterson.

He also moved Serge Ibaka from power forward to center. The moves gave Toronto more ball handlers and opened the floor on offense. But they work simply because the Raptors contain James. Casey, though, is confident his team can go home like it did last year and even the series. believe in our he said.

believe in our guys. I know there is another level we can get to. seen it Doubling Demar defensive game plan to double-team and trap DeRozan has worked to a charm. He missed his first nine shots and finished 2 of 11. he said.

lose like we did and to play like I did, it sucks. Free shots Casey complain about the officiating, but he did point out that James attempted 21 free throws and the Raptors took 19. Up next James is 12-0 with Cleveland in a series when leading 2-0 and 19-0 overall. AP PHOTO Cleveland LeBron James (23) looks to pass as Toronto Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the second half in Game 2 of second-round NBA basketball playoff series in Cleve- land. The Cavaliers won 125-103.

RED SOX From 8 president of baseball opera- tions Dave Dombrowski and Orioles GM Dan Duquette Wednesday afternoon. Red Sox manager John Farrell said Torre had told the teams to knock it off, but that there were no warnings about hit batters. guess the best way to de- scribe it is: I can confirm that there was a call and it hap- pened for both clubs, to basi- cally address the last two weeks and to say, is Farrell said before the game, adding that he hoped that would be the end of it. It Up next Orioles: Ubaldo Jimenez was slated to pitch the series finale, but with early ejection they had to go into the bullpen and Jimenez pitched three innings Wednesday. Red Sox: Kyle Kendrick will be called up from Triple- A Pawtucket Thursday to make his debut with Boston.

AP PHOTO Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter, right, rushes to home plate as starting pitcher Kevin Gausman argues with home plate umpire Sam Holbrook, after hitting Boston Red Sox Xander Bogaerts with a pitch, during the second inning of Wednes- baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston. ATHLETES From 8 and Willie Dukes III will both be continuing their careers at Rust College. Jackson was one of the better offensive player for Greenville all season, finishing with a .423 batting average and 30 hits to lead his team in both categories. He also batted in 19 runs and stole 16 bases. a blessing.

All glory to God. I want to thank my teammates, my coaching staff and my parents for helping me get to this Jackson said. long summers, all the weight lifting, practices, all the hard work is paying Dukes had a .362 batting average on the year and collected 21 hits, 10 RBIs and 32 runs. He was a terror on the bases as well as the senior finished with 20 stolen bases to lead the Hor- nets. feels great to sign with Rust College.

Hard work always pays Dukes said. want to thank God, my family and my coach- ing staff. I want to encourage my teammates to keep doing what doing and continue striving at the Dukes said his motivation and drive for the game came from seeing his father, Willie Dukes play. want to follow in my footsteps. He played ball at the next level in the minor leagues with the Red Sox.

Seeing my father play at the next level made me play even the senior said. Greenville head coach Tony Calvin said he felt it was a joyous occasion for the two signees and the school. He added that he hoped it would give the rest of the younger members on his team something to strive for moving forward. think from a school perspective it is al- ways a good look when you can send kids to college. For these kids to be able go to college and continue to live out their childhood dreams is always a blessing.

If they can utilize baseball to get a great education, then by all means that is what they should Hornets head coach Tony Calvin said. Riverside High School After a standout season, Jessica Irion today signed an athletic scholarship to continue her career at Mississippi Delta Com- munity College was a great leader and Riverside softball head coach Brad Andrews said. was always willing to do whatever the team needed her to do in order for the team to be better. She is a great student and a great person who will hard and find success at the next Irion had a team-leading .570 batting aver- age and .606 on base percentage with 45 hits (17 doubles, five triples, two home runs) and 36 RBIs. She also stole 18 bases on the season.

has earned this Andrews said. worked each year to improve her game and all her hard work is finally paying off and we wish her the best and hope she is successful playing softball on the next think from a school perspective it is always a good look when you can send kids to college. For these kids to be able to go to college and continue to live out their childhood dreams is always a blessing. If they can utilize baseball to get a great education, then by all means that is what they should Tony Calvin Hornets head coach.