Cleveland v Toronto: East Round 2

SEASON SERIES: CLE 3-1

                So much for the Cleveland Cavaliers having a slump heading into the postseason. The Cavs swept the Indiana Pacers and have been on rest for at least week now awaiting the Toronto Raptors. Even though each of the (4) games played versus Indiana were all competitive and came down to the final stretch, Cleveland managed to pull off a sweep that included a Game 3 – (25) point halftime deficit to beat Indiana. That was the largest deficit to comeback on in NBA playoff history. Of course, all this was orchestrated by King James himself. LeBron averaged (32.8p / 9.8r / 9.3a / 3.0s / 2.0b) while shooting (54.3% FG and 45% 3PT). A LeBron James led team have not lost a first-round game since the 2012 playoffs.

VS TORONTO - 2016

LEBRON JAMES (27.6 PPG / 8.3 RPG / 9.6 APG)

KYRIE IRVING (24.6 PPG / 5.6 APG)

KEVIN LOVE (21.6 PPG / 12.3 RPG)

                The Toronto Raptors found it to be a bit more challenging trying to take out a young and talented Milwaukee Bucks squad who gave them a run for their money. The Raptors finally ended their road Game 6 woes (0-4) in franchise history and ended the Bucks season in a (4-2) series victory. Led by DeMar DeRozan and his (23.5 ppg) during the series, the Raptors capitalized on late game adjustments and a group who has a ton of playoff experience. However, the Raptors have not found any success with opening games in a playoff series. They lost Game 1 versus the Bucks for an 8^th consecutive time losing a Game 1 in a playoff series which can be alarming. One good take from that, their back-court duo of Lowry/DeRozan are (+8.7) and (+8.9) point differential following a loss in the past two postseasons shows they can bounce back quickly.

VS CLEVELAND – 2016

DEMAR DEROZAN (29.6 PPG)

KYLE LOWRY (22.0 PPG / 6.5 APG)

JONAS VALANCIUNAS (10.2 PPG / 9.2 RPG)

                Toronto only win versus Cleveland came at the end of the season when Cavs head coach Ty Lue decided to rest their Big 3. The Raptors won by (15) points. Being said, their losses were all by (4) points of less. Even with Cleveland sweeping Indiana, they won all (4) games by a combined (16) points. Each game was close. Another thing about the Cavs, they still cannot stop anyone defensively. The Pacers averaged (108.7 ppg) versus Cleveland and the Cavs became the first team to sweep a best of 7 series after allowing at least (100ppg) during their sweep. Toronto loss in (6) games last year in the Eastern Conference Finals against this same Cavs team. Both teams have a few added pieces to their resume this go around. Deron Williams stepped up for Cleveland shooting (76.9% FG / 77.8% 3PT) during the Indiana series, yes “2017 Deron Williams.” In addition to Kyle Korver gives them another weapon from behind the arc. While those adjustments Raptors coach Dwayne Casey made in Games 4 and 5 inserting Norman Powell for Jonas Valanciunas paid dividends. Powell scored (21 and 25) respectively. Also, Serge Ibaka did not play in the series this season versus the Cavs nor did PJ Tucker who will be relied on defensively in slowing down a Cavs team with plenty of rest and who scored (100+) versus Indiana and averaged (103.5ppg) against Toronto during the regular season. The Raptors shot over (40% FG) in their wins versus Milwaukee and have yet to lose back to back games since the All-Star break. The Raptors will need their starters to be fully engaged as the Cavs Big 3 of (James/Irving/Love) are (7-0) in the playoffs when they each score (20) points or more in a game. They all averaged at least (20 ppg) during the regular season versus Toronto. Toronto played well in the paint an on the glass in the Milwaukee series, something they will have to contain the Cavs on in this series. I believe Toronto can bring some physicality to the Cavs especially in the paint, this will help them tremendously. However, the Cavs are shooting almost (50%) from the field during the playoffs because of second chance opportunities and high percentage shots. If the Raptors can expose the Cavs defensive struggles alongside their plague of turnovers between the Indiana series (17, 18, 16, 15) where Toronto managed under (10) turnovers through (3) of their (6) first round series games, they can give Cleveland a run for their money. Doing this and maintaining it throughout an entire series is a whole different story.

PREDICTION: CLEVELAND IN 5