LeBron James and a unit of bench players came close but failed to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a dramatic comeback win over the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors fought off the Cavaliers to win game four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals 105-99 on Monday in Toronto.
The best-of-seven series is locked at 2-2.
"We are a resilient team and have been in this position before," Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, who top-scored with 35 points including 4-7 from behind the three-point line, said.
"People have counted us out the last three or four years, but we came home and protected home court."
The Raptors lost badly to the Cavaliers in the first two games of the series but, just as they did in the seven game semi-final clash with the Miami Heat, refused to give in.