NBA Star LeBron James rips own team as Toronto Raptors thrash Cavaliers

For the first time in his career, LeBron James has lost consecutive games by 25-plus points.

The Cavaliers were thumped by the Timberwolves by 28 on Monday and got crushed by the Raptors on Thursday despite Toronto playing without two of its better players in Kyle Lowry (tailbone) or Serge Ibaka (suspension).

James recorded a career-worst minus-39 rating Monday and was minus-22 Thursday with just one assist as Cleveland's defense was non-existent in the first half of the 133-99 defeat to cap the season's midpoint.

Greatest Win: Toronto Raptors Beat Miaimi Heats To The Finals For the First Time

AP Toronto Raptors' DeMar DeRozan, right, and Kyle Lowry celebrate during the second half of Game 7

Kyle Lowry scored 35 points, DeMar DeRozan had 28 and the Toronto Raptors beat the Miami Heat 116-89 on Sunday in Game 7 to reach the conference finals for the first time in franchise history.

The 116-89 victory, behind 35 points in a monster game from Kyle Lowry, sends the Raptors to the Eastern Conference final for the first time in the team’s 21-year history, where the terrifying Cleveland Cavaliers await. Bismack Biyombo added 17 points and 16 rebounds for the Raptors. They'll open the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland against LeBron James and the Cavaliers on Tuesday night.

“I know it’s kind of cliché, but we never doubted Kyle and DeMar (DeRozan),” coach Dwane Casey said after the All-Star guards combined for 63 points, their biggest total of the playoffs. Now the Raptors get ready for the Cavaliers, who swept Detroit in the first round and have been resting since May 8, when they capped a second-round sweep of Atlanta.

NBA Star Dwayne Wade Defends Himself on Disregarding The Canadian National Anthem

NBA star Dwyane Wade disregards the Canadian national anthem and continues to shoot baskets. during Game 3 playoff. Before the beginning of Game 3 of the playoff series between the Dinos and Heat in Miami, the 34-year-old was caught on camera working on his shot instead of standing still with teammates during Saturday's rendition of O Canada. Wade defended his actions.

"I'm not a disrespectful person," Wade said. "So if anybody thinks I'm being disrespectful to a country, then they don't know who Dwyane Wade is."

Wade added he would adjust his pre-game ritual for the next game of the playoff series. see video after cut

ThisHappened! Watch Out Of Control NBA Ref Yell ‘Boom’ As He ‘T’s’ Up A Player

During yesterday’s Nebraska-Minnesota, Tom Eades, one of the more out of control refs in CBB gave Shavon Shields a technical foul while yelling BOOM in the process. See vine below;

Wassup With Toronto Raptors Losing Streak, Four In A Row

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (right) and head coach Dwane Casey walk off the court at the end of their 103-95 loss to the Charlotte Hornets in NBA action in Toronto Thursday January 8, 2015.

Lori Ewing The Canadian Press
The once-red hot Toronto Raptors have suddenly gone cold.

And while Kyle Lowry said a four-game losing streak is nothing to fret over, his chilly demeanour in the post-game dressing room Thursday night said otherwise.

The Raptors dropped a 103-95 decision to the Charlotte Hornets, spoiling the team’s homecoming after a disappointing road trip. And Lowry, who led the way with 24 points, was positively terse with reporters after the lacklustre loss.

“Tonight we sucked as a team, and we’ve got to figure it out soon,” Lowry said. “We’ve got a game on Saturday, and tonight we sucked as a team, but we had a bad game, and I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Grammy winning recording artist Nicki Minaj joins the Inside The Nba Cypher

LeBron James Miami Return Turn Sour As Heats Beat Cavs 101-91

The return of LeBron James to Miami may have been the biggest story when the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Miami Heat on Christmas, but it was a happy ending for Dwyane Wade and co., who beat the Cavs, 101-91.

Led by Wade (31 points, five rebounds, five assists) and Luol Deng (25 points, eight rebounds, eight assists), the Heat proved to be too much for James and the Cavs, ending Cleveland's three-game winning streak despite the absence of Chris Bosh.

James didn't disappoint against his former team, however, scoring 30 points and adding eight assists. Kyrie Irving had a strong evening as well, going for 25 points, while Kevin Love scored 14 points and pulled down five rebounds.

Kyle Lowry Of Toronto Raptors Nails Brooklyn Nets

ESPN's First Take Debate On LeBron James On The Decline?

Kobe Bryant eclipses Jordan for 3rd on career scoring list

In this April 2, 2013 file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant gestures during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Los Angeles. AP/Mark J. Terrill 

on Krawczynski | The Associated PressKobe Bryant has reached rarefied air.

The Los Angeles Lakers star passed Michael Jordan for third on the NBA’s career scoring list Sunday night in a 100-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Bryant entered the game needing nine points to pass the icon with whom he is often compared. He got the mark with two free throws with 5:24 to play in the second quarter.

“I’m just honoured to be here, man, to still be playing,” Bryant said. “I appreciate being able to play this long. Careers normally don’t last this long. I really appreciate the opportunity to still be out there playing and performing and doing what I do.”

Now only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone have scored more points than Bryant.

Toronto Keep Getting Wins As Kyle Lowry carries Raptors past Knicks, 95-90

New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony, left, looks for a pass from Quincy Acy, right, while Toronto Raptors' Landry Fields defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 in New York. AP

Brian MahoneyThe Associated Press
Too many fouls. Way too many turnovers — nine alone from their star point guard.

So what if Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors weren’t perfect? Come overtime, they went from flawed to nearly flawless.

“We had so many mistakes on both sides, even defensively,” coach Dwane Casey said. “But it was one of those games, if you’re serious about winning, you find a way to get it done and our guys did it.”

Lowry had 21 points and 11 assists, controlling the overtime period and leading the Raptors to a 95-90 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday night.

Lowry had nine turnovers and missed a jumper that would’ve won it to end regulation, but then had two baskets and an assist in overtime, accounting for more points than the Knicks managed as a team.

Kobe Bryant Top Legend Michael Jordan On The All-Time Scoring List

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LeBron James Wears 'I Can't Breathe' T-Shirt In Solidarity With Eric Garner Protesters

LeBron James wears an 'I Can't Breathe' shirt during warmups before a Dec. 8 game in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Amanda Terkel | Huff
LeBron James took the court before Monday night's game in Brooklyn wearing a T-shirt with the words "I can't breathe," showing solidarity with protesters nationwide who are speaking out against the police killing of Eric Garner.

Brooklyn Nets players Kevin Garnett, Deron Williams, Jarrett Jack and Alan Anderson, as well as one of James' teammates, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, also came out wearing the shirt in advance of the game, which was set to be attended by Great Britain's Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, as well as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, James received his shirt from Jack, who used to play for the Cavaliers.

The shirt is the same design worn before Saturday night's NBA game by Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, which James told the New York Daily News he admired.

"It was spectacular," James said about Rose's shirt. “I loved it. I’m looking for one.”

More Photos From Prince William and Kate Middleton US Tour

Jay Z and Beyonce met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton at a Brooklyn Nets game in New York last night. The royal couple are in New York for official engagement and I hear they requested to meet Beyonce and Jay Z while in NYC.

The royals exchanged words as people watched on and cheered. 

 See more photos after the cut...

Photo | Kate Middleton And NBA Star LeBron James

Basketball star Lebron James broke royal protocol by putting his hands over Kate Middleton's shoulder while taking photos with her and prince William at the NBA game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers last night. 

Chicago Bulls Derrick Rose Wears 'I Can't Breathe' Shirt At NBA Game

Andrew Hart | Huff
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose warmed up for his game against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night wearing a T-shirt with the words "I can't breathe," paying tribute to Eric Garner, the unarmed black man killed by a police officer's chokehold in New York.

In a video of Garner's arrest for selling untaxed cigarettes, the 43-year-old can be heard repeating "I can't breathe" until his body goes limp. The phrase has become a rallying cry for those protesting abusive police tactics and how law enforcement treats black people.

A grand jury in Staten Island voted Wednesday not to indict New York City police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Garner. The decision came the week after a grand jury decided to not indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for the killing of black 18-year-old Michael Brown.

This isn't the first instance of professional athletes using this form of protest. Last month, five St. Louis Rams players entered the field with their hands raised as a form of surrender. Some witnesses said Michael Brown had his hands up when shot, and the gesture, along with the phrase "Hands up, don't shoot," has been embraced by demonstrators nationwide.

NBA: Kobe Bryant Breaks Record for Missed Shots

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakes dribbles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on Nov.11, 2014 in Memphis, Tenn. Andy Lyons—Getty Images

Bryant currently ranks fourth on the NBA's all-time scoring list

Kobe Bryant has missed more shots in the regular season than any other player in NBA history.

The Los Angeles Lakers star passed Celtics legend Jon Havlicek’s record (13,147) during Tuesday night’s game against the Grizzlies. Bryant eclipsed passed Havlicek’s mark in 18 fewer games.

The record-breaking miss came on a mid-range jump shot in the fourth quarter.

Bryant, 36, has hoisted at least 1,500 shots in 10 of his 19 seasons. His 2,173​ attempts in 2005-06 were a career high. Bryant has shot 45.3 percent from the field and averaged 25.5 points per game during his career.

Over six games this season entering Tuesday, Bryant has scored 26.5 points per game while posting a 39.4 field goal percentage — which would be a career-low if maintained over the entire season.

Bryant currently ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

SI

Toronto Raptors Come Back To Beat Orlando Magic

Canadian Press
Having just given up a three-pointer and trailing by 11 points late in the first half Tuesday, Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey called a timeout. Kyle Lowry took the ball and spiked it hard to the ground in frustration.

Lowry drew on that frustration to lift the Raptors to a 104-100 victory over the Orlando Magic, extending their Eastern Conference-leading record to 7-1. They're a perfect 5-0 at the Air Canada Centre.

On a night that saw Toronto trail almost the entire game, Lowry grabbed two huge rebounds in the final 90 seconds, then drew a foul and drained a pair of free throws to give the Raptors a three-point lead in the victory.

Lowry finished with 19 points while Terrence Ross poured in 17 more. DeMar DeRozan added 16, Lou Williams had 14, and Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson chipped in with 12 points apiece.

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