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Cleveland Cavaliers prove why they're still team to beat in the East vs. Toronto Raptors

The Cavs overcame a 15-point second-half deficit over the first-place Raptors
Credit: David Richard-USA Today Sports

CLEVELAND -- Asked if the Cleveland Cavaliers' comeback victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday reasserted them as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, LeBron James refused to take the bait.

"It's a good win for us just because of how depleted we are with our roster and everything that's been going on," James said in the Cavs locker room following their 132-129 win against the first-place Raptors. "It's a good win for us vs. a very good opponent."

Then, as only he can, The King proceeded to share why he didn't think the Cavs needed to send such statement.

"I don't need to remind anybody what my teams are capable of doing," he said.

Credit: David Richard - USA Today Sports

Scoring 35 points to go along with 17 assists, 7 rebounds and perhaps most impressively, no turnovers, James spearheaded what was ultimately a 15-point second-half comeback over the Eastern Conference's top record holder. In a contest that came down to the final minutes, Cleveland needed each point, assist and rebound that it got from James, as the Cavs were without five rotation players against a Raptors team that had won 19 of its last 21 contests.

Much has been made about the way Toronto has reinvented itself this season, although you wouldn't have known it on Wednesday night. From dishing out 8 assists in the first quarter to closing out the game in the final seconds, James had his way with the Raptors defense -- just as he has in each of the past two postseasons, in which the Cavs have eliminated Toronto.

"They're still a hell of a team," Toronto All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan said in the Toronto locker room, per ESPN's Nick Freidell. "You can't take nothing away from them. They're still a top team in our conference."

A top team?

It may be splitting hairs, but on Wednesday, there didn't seem to be much debate as to who the beast of the East truly was. And if the Cavs are capable of such comeback as shorthanded as they were, what will they be capable of with Kyle Korver, Larry Nance Jr., Rodney Hood and Tristan Thompson back on the floor?

Credit: David Richard-USA Today Sports

Elsewhere in the East, Boston is facing no shortage of uncertainty thanks to a Kyrie Irving knee injury, while Indiana and Washington lack star power, at least compared to Cleveland. Philadelphia and Milwaukee are each intriguing in their own rights, but neither can lay claim to significant playoff experience.

Sure, the Cavs have had plenty of warts throughout what's been an uneven season due to both injuries and chemistry issues. But there's a reason why despite trailing Toronto by double-digits in the standings, Cleveland has remained the betting favorite to win the Eastern Conference for a fourth straight season.

That reason stands at 6-foot-8 and just followed a 40-point triple-double with a stat line that's never been seen before.

And while James may not think anyone needs a reminder of what his teams are capable of, Wednesday night certainly served as one to anybody who's forgotten.

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