This time it was supposed to be different.
The Toronto Raptors entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s top seed, after a 59-23 regular season. The Boston Celtics lost Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving to season-ending injuries. The Cleveland Cavaliers were frankly outplayed in their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, and entered this second-round series looking like LeBron James and not much else. With how good the Raptors had played all season (and with their stars healthy), and with how mediocre the rest of the Eastern Conference field appeared, this was the year for the Raptors to finally get over the hump and make a run to the Finals.
Instead, they didn’t win a single game in the second round. The Raptors were annihilated 128-93 by the Cavs in Game 4 on Monday night (yes, they lost by 35 points in a must-win game), to give Cleveland a four-game sweep and their fourth consecutive Eastern Conference Finals berth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdXfQ-ubWy0
#Raptors 35-point loss is the worst margin of defeat in an elimination game by a #1 seed against a lower seed in the history of the NBA.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 8, 2018
It’s also the second straight year the Cavs swept the Raptors in the second round, and the third straight year the Cavs have knocked the Raptors out of the playoffs.
LeBron imposed his will on Toronto.
King James now has a 12-2 record against the Raptors in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/VaJLAuC2UB
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) May 8, 2018
And the Raptors are the first No. 1 seed in 49 years to get swept before the conference finals.
Raptors become 1st No. 1 seed in 49 years to get swept before conference finals. https://t.co/fr4V7VJLnI pic.twitter.com/T1TvlnUWxs
— theScore (@theScore) May 8, 2018
As you’d imagine, Twitter wasn’t very kind to the Raptors about their performance.
The Raptors really should be ashamed of themselves. I’ve never seen such an emasculation of an entire team like this. They didn’t even try lol
— Kazeem Famuyide 🇳🇬 🍎 (@Kazeem) May 8, 2018
Raptors could go 81-1 next year and I’m not taking their playoff chances seriously
— Fadeaway World (@FadeawayWorld) May 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/SheHatesJacoby/status/993691944164450304
Toronto Raptors 2017-18: Best season in franchise history, and biggest disappointment in franchise history.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) May 8, 2018
This was supposed to be a breakout year for the Raptors.
Toronto is the first No. 1 Seed to be swept in the Conference Semifinals. pic.twitter.com/lonSdElC6p
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) May 8, 2018
LeBron sweeps the Raptors. Again. 😈 pic.twitter.com/Zb0PuX3iHh
— Cycle (@bycycle) May 8, 2018
After sweeping the Raptors, LeBron is the true King of the North 👑 pic.twitter.com/qQ72RAuz0O
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/hzrris/status/993686563560210432
https://twitter.com/Nicktheegr8/status/993690718991470592
Raptors can go 82-0 next year and Bron will still sweep em
— LeBron's Witnesses (@kinglbj_23) May 8, 2018
Will never stop laughing if Dwane Casey is announced Coach of the Year after he’s already been fired by the Raptors
— Eric Rosenthal (@ericsports) May 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/Kenny_623/status/993688338422009856
Raptors running towards their destiny… pic.twitter.com/8Fon2kFYYa
— Robert Littal (@BSO) May 8, 2018
