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Raptors Playoff Preview: The Hunter Has Become The Hunted

By Gavin Axelrod

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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 Home court advantage has evaporated. With their backs against the wall will the Toronto Raptors be able to do what seems like the impossible?

For the first time this season the Toronto Raptors are in serious trouble. After dropping two crucial games on home court the series now shifts to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4.

Thursday’s Game 2 was the “LeBron James show”. The 33-year old notched a near triple-double with 43 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists in 41 minutes of play. As evident by the first two games of this series, stopping LeBron James is not going to be easy. Limiting James’ production will be key in Saturday’s contest.

Toronto is going to need a pair of massive performances from their All-Star duo in Saturday’s Game 3. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan both scored over 20 points each on Thursday however, they must elevate their play come Saturday.

Serge Ibaka is due for a big game and there might not be a better time than Game 3. The 27-year old has shot a combined 3-10 through two games thus far. The Raptors are longing for the Serge Ibaka that will give them 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks now more than ever.

TORONTO, ON – MAY 01: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball in the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 1, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MAY 01: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball in the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 1, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Kevin Love has seemingly resurfaced and that could spell trouble for the Raptors. It will be crucial that Toronto’s core of bigs keeps him out of the paint in Saturday’s contest. Love has struggled from beyond the arc but he was able to have his way in the mid-range and paint in Game 3. The 29-year old shot 7-7 from the free throw line Thursday evening.

Jonas Valanciunas has notched a double-double in back to back contests. The 25-year old could benefit tremendously by biting on less pump fakes Saturday night. Valanciunas has dominated the paint thus fair and his play in Game 3 will be a deciding factor in any potential Raptors victory.

Keys To Victory

  1. Stay out of foul trouble. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry had 5 fouls each in Game 3. Although this was a rare occurrence, the Raptors will need their All-Star duo on the court for as long as possible Saturday night. Elsewhere around the rotation Pascal Siakam had 4 fouls while Anunoby and Miles each had 3.
  2. Regain three-point shooting touch. Part of Toronto’s  success in the first round was their ability to make three-pointers. Round 2 has been a different story so far however, as the team shot 32% from beyond the arc in Game 1 and 40% in Game 2.  If the Raptors’ shooters can regain their hot shooting touch on Saturday they will be victorious.
  3. Ball control. Through the first two games of this series the Raptors have turned the ball over a combined 24 times. Cleveland on the other hand has just 10 turnovers. In order for Toronto to be successful in Game 3 they must take better care of the ball.

Prediction

Lets all take a second here to take a deep breath and remember that this series is only 2-0. The Raptors are the Eastern Conference’s number one seed because they have been able to overcome adversity and obstacles all year-long. One final obstacle stands between the Raptors and Playoff glory or, an early end to their season.

Saturday’s contest is going to be a gruelling affair. Expect DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry to lead the charge for Toronto. Inspired and motivated more than ever before the Raptors are going to pull off a victory in Game 3.

Final Score: Raptors 114 –  Cavaliers 108.

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