Cavs dominate the Celtics 130-86, take 2-0 series lead

The Cavaliers made it look easy in the dominating 130-86 win over the Boston Celtics Friday night in Boston to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals. The 130 points were a single-game franchise record in postseason play.

The Cavs led from the first field goal of the game-a Kyrie Irving floater 57 seconds into the game. In the first quarter, Cleveland outscored Boston 32-18. In the second quarter, the Cavs outscored the Celtics 40-13 to take a commanding 72-31 lead at halftime. The 41 point halftime lead is a new NBA record for the biggest halftime lead in NBA history.

The Cavaliers were so dominant in the first three quarters that “The Big Three” of James, point guard Kyrie Irving and power forward Kevin Love did not play a single second in the fourth quarter.

Minutes after the NBA announced the three finalists for the NBA MVP award, and Lebron James wasn't among them, James scored a game-high 30 points with a 12-of-18 shooting performance. James buried four of his six looks from three-point range and went eight for 12 inside the arc. Additionally, James pulled down four rebounds, handed out seven assists, stole four passes and blocked three shots over 33 minutes. James was a plus-45 in the lopsided victory, and he got plenty of help in the scoring department.

Kyrie Irving bounced back from a below par Game 1 to score 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting in 29 minutes. He was 4-of-11 in the first game. Kevin Love posted 21 points and 12 boards in 27 minutes.

The Cavs made 19 3-pointers and shot .565 from the field. The Celtics committed 21 turnovers for 23 points and shot .372 from the field.

Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics' star, was suffocated by the Cavs' defense. He scored two points on two free throws and missed all six of his shots, and didn't play after halftime because of a strained left hip.

"It's one game. I don't care if you win by 200 points," Cavaliers coach Tyronne Lue said. "We're going back home, we're not going to get comfortable. We understand that this is a good team. They're not No.1 in the East for no reason."

The Cavs have won 13 consecutive playoff games dating to Game 5 of the 2016 Finals, tying them with the Los Angeles Lakers teams from 1988 and 1989 for the longest playoff winning streak in NBA history.

Please keep in mind that the Cavs had a full nine days off between sweeping the Raptors in the second round and the start of this series. They'd get another eight if they sweep the Celtics.

COMING UP FOR THE CAVS: The Cavaliers will look to break the record for most consecutive playoff wins in NBA history in Game 3 on Sunday at 8:30 pm at the Q.