Frontcourt
In an age where every other team is getting smaller and quicker, Cleveland decided to go in the other direction. In addition to pairing fallen with No. 3 pick Evan Mobley in the frontcourt, the cavaliers will utilize a three-big lineup with names like Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love out there to space the floor.
Muscular hybrid-forward Isaac Okoro continues to make his presence felt as a defender while role players like Dean Wade and Cedi Osman can snipe from the perimeter. A Toronto team that still does not have a player taller than 6-9 might have a difficult time combating that much height.
The Toronto Raptors don’t have Cleveland’s size.
Pascal Siakam is playing arguably the best basketball of his career, and Precious Achiuwa has been a revelation in the second half. Even with those two feathers in their cap, the likes of Khem Birch and Chris Boucher can’t hold up to Cleveland’s stable of long-limbed towers in the middle.
The Raptors and Cavs both have the manpower needed to become a real pest for any team that has designs on a long playoff run. However, if their playoff matchups turn into a battle down in the post, Toronto’s lack of depth and Cleveland’s duo of young stars could make them more formidable in that area.
Advantage: Cavaliers