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Cleveland Cavaliers @ Toronto Raptors: Game 4 preview

By Adam Stocker

May 1, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) defends Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) in game one of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) defends Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) in game one of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Raptors look to avoid NBA playoff elimination against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Sunday, May 7.

In game 3 the Toronto Raptors kept it close until the fourth quarter. The Raptors entered the final frame down 79-77 but were outscored 36-17 in the final stanza leading to the Cavs taking game three 115-94. On Sunday the Raptors face elimination and a humiliating end to their season. The only positive for the Raptors is they can become the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win.

LeBron James has proved yet again why he is the best player in basketball. James has done whatever he wants in the series from spinning the ball before nailing a three to a dunk following a pass off the backboard. If Toronto has any chance of coming back they need to slow down LeBron. Toronto’s defensive has been far too soft against The King. It is time for someone on the Raptors roster to step up and deliver a hard foul to James, one that makes LeBron think twice about embarrassing his opposition. After three games, LeBron believes he can do anything on the court and get away with it because Toronto will do nothing to stop him.

After missing game 3, there is the chance Kyle Lowry returns to the lineup. Lowry would improve the Raptors chances of winning if he is healthy, but that is a big if. For the majority of the series, Toronto’s ball movement has been awful. Lowry or whoever is running point needs to do a better job creating and Toronto needs to look to make the extra pass to get more open shots.

Toronto needs to get Jonas Involved.

Toronto needs to do a better job incorporating Jonas Valanciunas. Cleveland’s biggest weakness is their lack of front court depth. Tristan Thompson is Cleveland’s best post defender, but he is giving up three inches to Valanciunas. Kevin Love is not a good defender. The Raptors need to make post scoring a bigger priority. Valanciunas started hot in game 3, but then the offensive went away from him. In 24.7 minutes per game this series, Valanciunas is averaging 16 points. Valanciunas is the Raptors’ second-leading scorer. If Toronto wants to open up more space along the three-point line they need to have Valanciunas producing in the post. If Valanciunas opens game 4 with a lot of touches and points, Cleveland will be forced to send help defense. The extra help will open someone else on the court for an open shot.

Next: DeRozan's playoff struggles

How, When and Where to Watch:

Date: Sunday, May 6
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

Series: Cleveland Cavaliers 3 – Toronto Raptors 0
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Venue: Air Canada Centre
TV and Radio Info: TSN – TSN Radio
Live Stream: TSN Go

Three Keys to Victory:

  1. Slowdown LeBron James. Through three games the Raptors have done an absolutely pathetic job stopping James. In the first three games, King James is averaging 36.3 points, eight rebounds, five assists, 1.7 steals and one block per game. James is going to score, it is a given fact. For the Raptors to win, they need to limit LeBron’s damage to only 25 points. If Toronto has any chance of winning, they need to contain LeBron. The Cavs will sweep Toronto if LeBron breaks 30 in game 4.
  2. Starting hitting threes. Toronto has been awful from downtown. While Cleveland is shooting 50 percent from three, Toronto is hitting only 27.9 percent of their attempts from three-point land. Toronto needs to be better from three and they need to contest more of Cleveland’s attempts.
  3. The trio of Norman Powell, DeMarre Carroll, and Patrick Patterson all need to be significantly better. Powell has been getting a lot of positive press, but his performances have not been good enough. The UCLA product is shooting 33.3 percent from the floor. Patterson and Carroll are shooting even lower percentages from the field. Carroll is shooting a pathetic 12.5 percent while Patterson is shooting 20 percent. If the Raptors have any chance of extending their season they need to get a 20-point performance from one of the three players.
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