Through two games, the Toronto Raptors‘ historic first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals has been forgettable to say the least.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have won both contests by a combined 50 points, and of the players left in the post-season, no Cavs player ranks in the top 20 in minutes played. The Cavaliers are the much fresher team as Toronto had played the maximum 14 games to advance to the conference finals. The heavier legs could be why the Raptors have failed to be within single digits in the second half. Toronto has played the Cavs close to start both games but have fallen apart with momentary lapses.
The Raptors have done a good job of protecting their home court, going 6-2 record at the Air Canada Centre this post-season. They’ll have to continue that trend to make this a series.
RAPTORS KEYS TO THE GAME
LEBRON OUT OF THE LANE
Lebron James has been dominant since the opening tip in Game 1. He’s carried the Cavs for stretches, like when he scored or assisted on the first 16 points in Game 2. LeBron has done all of his damage at the rim no matter who has guarded him. James’ average field goal distance in this series is 1.6 feet from the basket. James had seven dunks in the first two rounds of the playoffs; he has seven dunks in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals. Heading into Game 3, James is 17-of-19 on shots in the paint but just 1-of-7 on shots outside the paint. Toronto has to play off of LeBron and force him to be a jump shooter not a penetrator.
MAKE SHOTS
It sounds simple but basketball is a simple game that we at times overcomplicate. Toronto shot just 18-of-40 on uncontested shots in Game 2. The Cavs’ best offensive lineups are actually not great defensive lineups. Toronto is getting cleaner looks than they did in the first round against Indiana or last round against Miami. In the friendly confines of the ACC, the Raptors have to make the open shots they’re working hard to create.
CAVALIERS KEY TO THE GAME
POUND THE PAINT
After having unprecedented success shooting from beyond the arc in the first two rounds, the Cavs have reverted back to their bully-ball nature, dominating Toronto inside on both ends of the floor. Even when they play small, Cleveland has done a good job collapsing the defence offensively and stopping dribble-drive penetration to make up for their lack of rim protection defensively.
| Cavaliers by post-season opponent | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Three-point FG attempts per game | Paint point differential | ||
| vs. Pistons | 34.5 | -20 | |
| vs. Hawks | 38 | -52 | |
| vs. Raptors | 20.5 | +42 |
RAPTORS PLAYER TO WATCH: KYLE LOWRY
Lowry has struggled mightily against the Cavs in this series after dominating them to the tune of 31 points per game during the regular season. Lowry has more turnovers in this series than assists. During the regular season Lowry averaged 16 drives per game. His average shot attempt distance in the first two games of 19 feet is over 3 feet farther what it was prior. The Raptors point guard needs to continue to force the issue and get into the teeth of the distance to be effective.
| Lowry’s last four games | ||
|---|---|---|
| Games | 6, 7 vs. Miami | 1, 2 vs. Cleveland |
| Points per game | 35.5 | 9 |
| Field goals | 23-47 | 8-28 |
| Three-point field goals | 8-12 | 1-15 |
CAVALIERS PLAYER TO WATCH: KYRIE IRVING
LeBron gets all the headlines, but Irving has been just as good this post-season. Irving has dominated the point guard match up with Lowry and even defensive stopper Cory Joseph has had no answer. For the Cavs to close out the series it will take more than a one-man show. Kyrie has to continue to play on the King’s level.
| Cavaliers’ stars in Eastern Conference Finals vs. Toronto | ||
|---|---|---|
| Kyrie Irving | LeBron James | |
| Points | 26.5 | 23.5 |
| Field-goal percentage | 54.5 | 69.2 |
| Assists | 4 | 7.5 |
KEY STAT
No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit.
