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Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 3: Can the Raptors Find a Way to Slow LeBron?

SBD Staff Writer

by SBD Staff Writer in NBA Basketball

Updated May 5, 2018 · 11:05 AM PDT

LeBron James put on a clinic Thursday night, tallying 41 points, 14 assists and 8 rebounds in the Cavs dominant 128-110 victory over Toronto. Photo by Eric Drost (Flickr) [CC License]
  •  Raptors stunned by unstoppable LeBron James
  • Are the Raptors psychologically defeated by the Cavs?
  • The Raptors aren’t done

After stealing game 1, and running away with game 2, the Cleveland Cavaliers now lead the top-seeded Toronto Raptors 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. The Raptors will travel to Cleveland Saturday night to try and return the favour on the Cavs’ home floor. Tip off is at 8:30 pm EST.

The Toronto Raptors did their very best to even the series in Game 2. Statistically speaking, the Raptors were better than the Cavs in a majority of categories, including free throw percentage, rebounds, assists, and points in the paint. They played well as a unit, and got great production from their “bench mob.” But once again, Lebron James spoiled the party.

Game 2 Team Comparisons

Cavaliers
VS
Raptors
59.5 Field Goal % 54.3
42.3 Three Point % 40.0
73.9 Free Throw % 90.9
34 Rebounds 35
25 Assists 26
3 Turnovers 11
56 Points in the Paint 62

To put it simply, LeBron James was nearly unstoppable. If you didn’t watch the game, just imagine MJ’s performance against the 94′ Monstars and add 14 assists. James showed off a polished game plan and executed at will. He relentlessly attacked the basket, got teammates involved, and hit a series of ridiculous turn-around jumpers en route to 43 points on 19-of-28 shooting.

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Unlike any playoff game this post-season, the Cavs had a 30-point scorer other than LeBron. Kevin Love emerged from hibernation, pouring in 31 points and grabbing 11 boards. In a post-game interview, LeBron said “Kev just had that look in his face today. When they went small we ran sets to get him the ball.”

For the Raptors, they seemed to adhere to the same narrative in game 2 after blowing another first-half lead. So far in this series, Toronto has led Cleveland at the half, in both games, and gone on to be outscored by a combined 115-95 in the second half. Are we to question the Raptors’ game plan at this point or are the Cavs just the better team?

Many basketball fans believe this Raptors team is capable of pushing the King off his throne. I believe they can, but do they believe they can?

For the third straight year, the Toronto Raptors find themselves face to face with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the post-season. Each year, the result ends up the same. There’s no arguing this is the best Raptors team in franchise history. Many basketball fans believe this Raptors team is capable of pushing the King off his throne. I believe they can, but do they believe they can? It seems the Raptors need to get out of their own heads if they plan to win game 3.

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What to Expect from Toronto in Game 3:

Increased urgency, on defense, and care for the basketball.

I understand LeBron James had one of his greatest post-season performances in Game 2, but with that being said, Toronto can’t expect to win many games giving up 128 points. More effort, communication, and physicality need to be present in Toronto’s defensive efforts come Saturday night. The Pacers proved a physical play style can cause trouble for the Cavs.

Toronto needs to take better care of the ball. The Raptors have plagued themselves this series by giving the ball up 25 times in two games. In comparison, the Cavs have only 9 turnovers in two contests. Coach Dwayne Casey needs to communicate the value of ball control to his club.

What to Expect from Cleveland in Game 3:

Continue to get Kevin Love involved.

As LeBron said, “we need to get Kev the ball.” The sets the Cavs ran to get Kevin Love the ball involved the Raptors switching assignments on defense. With a smaller defender on his back, Kevin Love was able to take advantage and assert his inside game. Cleveland clearly studied the film and should continue to get more players involved.

Team Stats

Cavaliers
VS
Raptors
112.7 Offensive Rating 113.7
111.6 Defensive Rating 105.9
98.2 Points 97.4
42.1 Rebounds 44.0
23.4 Assists 24.3
13.3 Turnovers 12.7

Team Betting Trends

 

Cleveland Toronto
CLE is 14-7 ATS versus TOR TOR is 6-16 SU against CLE
14 of 22 games went OVER the projected total TOR -0.77 units when facing a team with a winning record
CLE is 20-47 ATS as a favourite this season TOR is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games on the road

Prediction: Raptors invade The Land

I’ll start by saying I’m a sucker for the underdog… but Toronto proved to be the best team in the Eastern Conference and they’ll remind us of that again. The Cavaliers have been better in this series than they were against the Pacers, but we know at any given moment this Cavs roster can disappear. Without a doubt, LeBron James stays smokin’ hot but his counterparts will not. I like the Raps to establish some momentum in Game 3 with a 101-89 victory in Cleveland.

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