Raptors get smoked 115-84 by Cavaliers – now what?
By Brian Boake
The Raptors got a strong dose of Cavaliers dominance in a Game 1 which was over by halftime. Can the Raptors adjust sufficiently to contend?
Usually after every Toronto Raptors game, be it regular season or playoff, we publish a recap. We try to call out terrific performances and bad ones, plays or players which did (or didn’t) work, turning points, and the like.
Last night’s Game 1 annihilation of the Raptors by the Cleveland Cavaliers was so complete that a recap is of little value. You all saw it – after an encouraging 7-0 start for Toronto, the Cavs offense began to carve up the bewildered Raptors defense. A 22-2 run spanning Qs 1 and 2 turned an interesting game into a rout. The fourth quarter was garbage time.
The only visitor to have a respectable shooting night was DeMar DeRozan, who was 9 of 17. How messed up was the Raptors offense? James Johnson hit the most 3-balls (2) and Delon Wright made the most free throws (5). Neither DeRozan nor Kyle Lowry got to the charity stripe.
Meanwhile, Toronto’s defense had no answer for Cleveland’s speed of attack, or easy paint penetration. LeBron James missed 2 shots in 28 minutes while scoring 24 points. DeMarre Carroll can’t cover him without help. Kyrie Irving blew past his defender repeatedly, and led all scorers with 27.
Enough.
The NBA should not have been in such a hurry to start this series. Our guys were bushed, and it showed. Not to worry – the Raptors began their previous two series with defeats (though not as crushing as this one was).
What I think needs to change is Dwane Casey’s strategy. He’s a defense-first coach, and that certainly hasn’t hurt him or his teams. But he needs to switch his priority from D to O.
I don’t think the current Raptors roster can impede the Cavaliers offense. They have too many weapons. Even the first off-night of the playoffs for J.R. Smith was immaterial to Cleveland.
Obviously I’m not advocating rolling over on defense. I’d like to see Jason Thompson on LeBron for half a game. But I don’t want to get sidetracked (particularly by myself!). This post is about finding more ways to score, which starts with quickening the Raptors’ pace.
Our point guards are dribbling too much. Lowry and Cory Joseph must find open men sooner; the receivers must be ready to take a quick first step and fire away, or keep the ball moving.
In this scenario, DeRozan is the ball handler of last resort. Among the starters, Kyle, DeMarre and Patrick Patterson should be taking the most shots. Why? Because they are our best men from beyond the arc, and we need those 3-point baskets badly.
The Raptors will get blown out by the Cavs unless something drastic occurs.High-scoring “7 seconds or less” basketball may not be to coach Casey’s liking, but he needs to wake up and smell the coffee. All the best defensive schemes on the planet aren’t likely to keep Cleveland under a century. Can the Raptors ramp up their offense to match?