CLEVELAND -- Toronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan was frustrated that he was benched for the final 14 minutes of his team's 105-103 defeat in Game 3 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.
DeRozan went just 3-of-12 shooting and scored a postseason-low eight points as the Cavs attacked him with double teams to force him to give up the ball. Cavs coach Ty Lue said a primary facet in the team's game plan was to try to limit DeRozan and instead give more space to Kyle Lowry, who scored 27 points.
The Raptors were down 16 points when coach Dwane Casey benched DeRozan. Toronto slowly made a comeback with the different lineup, eventually tying the game with eight seconds to play before LeBron James hit a game-winning, one-handed runner at the buzzer, giving the Cavs a 3-0 series lead.
"It's extremely hard, extremely hard," DeRozan said. "I just want to be out there helping my team, way more than anything. It definitely sucks to be watching ... we've got to give credit to those guys. We fought hard and gave ourselves a chance to win."
Casey did not discuss his decision to bench DeRozan after the game. The coach did hint that the decision wasn't just about DeRozan's poor shooting. He was a team-worst minus-23 on the night.
"Even when you are not shooting well you can defend and do things to help us win, but those nights are going to happen," Casey said. "He had a tough night. He wasn't the reason we lost. We are professionals, he's a pro. He has had tough games before, he'll bounce back. But we have one more game, our pride is on the line, basically our season is on the line, but I think he'll bounce back."
Casey went with CJ Miles and OG Anunoby primarily down the stretch. Anunoby made a 3-pointer with eight seconds left that tied the game. Miles finished with 13 points and six rebounds.
DeRozan had been the Raptors' leading postseason scorer coming into the game, averaging 27.8 points.
"In the moment, it definitely sucks, especially on top of us losing. You never want to have a s---ty game like I had," DeRozan said. "I've got another game, got another opportunity. That's all that matters."