PLAYOFFS

NBA playoffs: Cavaliers make history, Bucks stomp Raptors flat

USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dunks against the Indiana Pacers in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

It was a 25-point halftime deficit this time, not a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals, but the Cleveland Cavaliers made NBA history again.

LeBron James increased his streak to 20 consecutive first-round wins. And, by the way, he also passed Kobe Bryant for third all-time in postseason scoring. Even crazier? The Cavs completed the comeback with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love on the bench.

LeBron James, Cavs stage historic comeback to down Pacers for 3-0 lead

Was that the worst loss in Pacers history? Gregg Doyel of the Indy Star sure thinks so.

And sure, LeBron had some big dunks. But this one from Myles Turner was ridiculous. Your poster is already in the mail, Tristan Thompson.

► The Bucks bludgeoned the Raptors the 104-77. It happened pretty fast, too. It was already a 30-point game in the middle of the second quarter.

And, of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo had his share of highlights, including this blocked shot -- with his elbow.

The Raptors, quite simply, were not good. To use Kyle Lowry's phrase: "We got our ass busted."

► The Grizzlies came out with fire against the Spurs in Game 3 -- just a few days after coach David Fizdale showed his fire in the postgame press conference after Game 2 -- and defeated the Spurs 105-94. The Grizzlies now trail 2-1 in the series.

Fizdale disagreed with a few more calls on Thursday, but he wasn't taking the bait when asked about it after the game after his Game 2 rant earned him a $30,000 fine.

► Down 2-0 to the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder admitted the team has had a "dark cloud" over their heads since death of Isaiah Thomas' sister.

Celtics had 'dark cloud' over them since Isaiah Thomas' sister was killed

Hit up nba.usatoday.com for all your playoff needs throughout the postseason.