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

Toronto dropped to 1-12 in playoff openers, and the Raptors got blown out in the playoffs for the fourth straight time in Cleveland.

 

Game 2 is Wednesday night.

 

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.

 

In the first half, the Cavs built an 18-point lead only to watch the Raptors go on a 19-3 burst to pull within 41-39.

 

But Cleveland regrouped and, playing a turnover-free second quarter, led 62-48 at half.