How do the Toronto Raptors match up against the Cavaliers?
By Mike Luciano
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