Cleveland reaction to Raptors’ refusal to roll over in EC Finals

We take the pulse of Cavaliers fans as the Raptors turn the Eastern Conference finals into a slog instead of a Cleveland cakewalk.

Here’s FanSided’s Cleveland expert, Jared Mueller, Editor of https://kingjamesgospel.com/ with his answers (in bold) to my questions (in italics).

Is Tyronn Lue getting roasted locally, or are the knives out for Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson?

It really is at Love and Thompson. Lue is getting some heat for overreacting instead of sticking with what has worked. The 2nd unit with LBJ and the bench has played well but he didn’t go to it until the 2nd half instead of the normal time. Love and Thompson have both struggled mightily at what they do best. Love is the bigger name but TT is being shown up by Bismack playing Tristan’s game better than him.

What’s up with J.R. Smith?  He looks badly out of sorts, particularly on D.  I suppose that’s why I asked about Lue, because I was amazed Smith was on the floor in the game’s final minute.  Yes, the Cavs needed points, but they needed a stop more, and Smith can’t help them there.

In the first two rounds, and much of the Regular Season, JR has actually been the Cavs best perimeter defender. Lue and LeBron have lauded him for his work against sharpshooter Kyle Korver. The problem with DeMar DeRozan is his game involves a ton of, what I call, mini moves that are almost never ending. Most players JR has played well against have set patterns of where and how they get their shot. DeRozan does his thing in multiple ways from multiple spots. The Cavs don’t really have a 2-way wing besides JR so going defense only, along with TT, makes them easy to guard.

Kyrie Irving had an excellent offensive game but is being beaten at the other end (Kyle Lowry – 35 points).  I thought Irving was a respectable defender; what gives?

He is better than he has shown against Lowry the last two games but in general he struggles to keep defenders in front of him. A shooter, he is fine. A driver, he is fine. Lowry is a good combination of both which gives Irving fits as he often finds himself in between which is the kill zone for Lowry so far.

If the Raptors do play Jonas Valanciunas, what will the Cavaliers do to keep him in check?

At this point, the Cavs will probably celebrate less Bismack time and the ball out of DeRozan and Lowry’s hands. Tristan is actually a very good defender but hasn’t shown it lately. Timofey Mozgov was horrible all season and the Cavs went away from him altogether. Against the Pistons and Andre Drummond, the Cavs used Love at center to force the slower footed center out of the lane and were able to use double teams to slow him down on offense. Love and Channing Frye on the court together could make it tough to play Jonas if they are hitting their outside shots.

How do you think the Cavaliers will respond to this 2-game losing streak?

To the extreme. They will either explode or implode, there doesn’t seem two ways about it. Their energy has been terrible, their defense has been bad and shots aren’t falling. Which one might be causing the others is a different question. I expect LeBron to come out and try to take control early from the low or mid post while involving Love in the post on other possessions. With the Raptors taking away the paint, the Cavs have to find a way to play inside out to soften the middle.

Starting Frye over Thompson becomes one option.

Thanks again, Jared.