NBA

Biyombo demonstrates his own show of Love

The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers started Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final with a bang as Bismack Biyombo's elbow got everyone's attention.

First-quarter melee set a tough tone for Game 6

After a review, Toronto's Bismack Biyombo was called for a Flagrant-1 for an elbow on Cleveland's Kevin Love in a rebound attempt. (@SLAMonline)

The Eastern Conference final was not without its drama. Between Biyombo blocks, LeBron flops, up and down performances from the Raptors's duo of Lowry and DeRozan, and a $25,000 fine to coach Dwane Casey, we knew something was bound to happen in Game 6. 

It didn't take long for the drama to settle in. Bismack Biyombo came into Game 6 with two flagrant fouls already in these playoffs when he was called for an elbow to Kevin Love, putting his participation if a Game 7 is necessary in doubt.

Flagrant fouls are assigned a points degree based on the severity. If a player's total degree exceeds three, he is suspended for the following game. Biyombo's first flagrant came on May 1 in Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers when his elbow caught Myles Turner in the face. Biyombo wasn't called for the foul during the game, but an NBA review following the game assessed him a 'flagrant 2'. Then in Game 3 against the Cavaliers, Biyombo was assessed a 'flagrant 1' against LeBron James.

His foul Friday night against Love pushed him over the limit, meaning he likely would have missed a Game 7 because of suspension. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers' 113-87 win made it a moot point.

But while the result was still in doubt, the foul had fans talking.


Although the call didn't sit well with a lot of Raptors fans, it seemed to be the talk of the internet:




But, it doesn't end there. Coming off the Biyombo momentum, Richard Jefferson fired things up even more by getting into Jonas Valanciunas' face. Technicals were called on Jefferson, Valanciunas and Patterson. 


We've seen both these teams 'ball out' during the series, but leave it to Game 6 for a 'brawl out'.


Raptors key to Game 7:


Emotion aside, the Raptors weren't able to capitalize in Game 6 against the Cavaliers. LeBron James and his squad win the Eastern Conference final 4-2 and advance to their second consecutive NBA Finals. The Raptors won 56 games in regular season which is the most in franchise history.