Raptors hungry for more
TORONTO HAVE TWICE COME UP SHORT AGAINST CLEVELAND
Toronto determined to make it third time lucky against James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in their NBA play-off series |
The Toronto Raptors seem to have everything lined up in their favour heading into their postseason matchup against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
They’re rested. The Raptors feel they are ready. They have home-court advantage.
But they’ve been confident before heading into a play-off showdown with James and have come up short — twice.
“Gotta go through the best to get to that trophy,” All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan said. “Every step of the way we’re going to come across somebody.”
The Raptors open their second-round play-off series at home to James and the Cavs. Cleveland have eliminated Toronto in two straight postseasons, including the 2016 conference finals and a second-round sweep last year.
This time, however, Toronto are the top-seeded team in the East after a team-record 59win season.
The Raptors have been off since a Game 6 victory over Washington last Friday night finished their first-round series, while James and the Cavs were pushed to the limit in grinding out a Game 7 win over Indiana on Sunday.
That’s a stark contrast to 2016, when Cleveland had eight days of rest before facing a Toronto team that had played consecutive seven-game series. Or last year, when the Cavs got a week off while waiting for Toronto to complete a six-game victory over Milwaukee in the opening round.
“They’re coming off a series where they were banging and bumping for seven games,” Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said. “I think our energy has been great. I think the days off will definitely have helped us a little bit.”
James, meanwhile, has shouldered a heavy load for the Cavs, scoring 40 or more three times in the first round. He played 43 minutes in Game 7, and was briefly forced off the court in the second half because of leg cramps.
Nevertheless, Raptors coach Dwane Casey expects James to be fully fresh once tip-off time arrives Tuesday.
“I don’t believe he’s tired,” Casey said. “He’s on a mission. I’m not saying he’s a lying man, but I don’t think he’s tired.”
Great opportunity
These Cavs don’t have AllStar guard Kyrie Irving anymore, either, while Toronto has flourished with a new emphasis on ball movement and 3-point shooting.
“We have a great opportunity ahead of us to show how good of a team we’ve been,” Lowry said. “We’re ready.” DeRozan agreed, saying there’s “no question” the Raptors are better equipped to face Cleveland than in years past.
“I feel it,” DeRozan said. “We all have that confidence in ourselves.”
Lowry and DeRozan started resting before their first-round series with the Wizards was even over. Lowry played 31 minutes in the clincher, and DeRozan 33, as Toronto’s deep bench took over in the fourth quarter.
The reserve unit was bolstered by the return of guard Fred VanVleet, who had missed all but three minutes of the first five games because of a sore right shoulder.
Pascal Siakam led Toronto’s bench with 11 points in Game 6 as the Raptors outscored Washington 29-14 in the fourth.
They’re coming off a series where they were banging and bumping for seven games. I think our energy has been great. I think the days off will definitely have helped us a little bit.” Kyle Lowry » Raptors guard