Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Raptors are leaving the friendly confines of the north to enter a wasp’s nest. Game three shifts to Bucktown with the Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets deadlocked at a game apiece in their first round playoff series. From Masai Ujiri’s F Brooklyn declaration to subtle barbs thrown at the Raptors GM by the likes of Kevin Garnett, there has already been a lot of trash talk in this series. As always though, this series will come down to who can make the necessary adjustments on the court. Game three in Bucktown; be ready for a fight until the very end of the game.
Cage’s Keys to the Game
Put More Windex on that Glass
The Nets have had a lot of success containing Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan so far (the fourth quarter of game two notwithstanding) by hedging hard on picks and handoffs made by the Raptors big men. Where the Raptors have been able to victimize the Nets is in the rebounding department. They outrebounded the Nets 45-37 in game one, and absolutely cleaned up the glass via a 52-30 rebounding advantage. With the Nets smaller lineup and focus on shutting down the Raptors backcourt, this is the Raptors greatest advantage in the series. Jonas Valanciunas has been huge up to this point; he recorded his second straight double-double this series in game two, and became the third player in the past 30 years to record 30 points and 30 rebounds in his first two playoff games. Sam Perkins and hall of famer Ralph Sampson are the only other players to accomplish this during that time span. One caveat to the Raptors advantage in rebounding is their inability to make an impact with second chance points. Despite the huge rebounding discrepancy, both teams scored 16 second-chance points in game two. The Raptors have to take advantage of the extra opportunities they get if they want to win both tonight’s game and the series.
Take Care of That Ball Like It’s Your Job
In the first two games of the series, the Raptors have turned the ball over 40 times, including 21 times in game two. This virtually mitigates the success this team has had on the glass. All the extra opportunities they have from rebounding the ball, the Nets take them right back by stealing the ball. The smaller lineup the Nets employ is certainly a factor; the Nets were sixth in the regular season in opponents’ turnovers per game. They’re aggressive and long at every position. Yet the copious amount of turnovers the Raptors have been committing can be solved by just taking better care of the ball. Valanciunas can’t bring the ball down during drives or offensive rebounds, or he will be stripped of the ball. DeRozan has been a little loose with his handle, and has sometimes tried to force his way through Brooklyns hedges, resulting in turnovers (Lowry has also been guilty of this.) Both Valanciunas and DeRozan have 11 turnovers each in two games. That’s an enormous number, especially for a center like Valanciunas. If the Raptors can take better care of the ball, their size up front might be able to take over this series.
Road Warriors
Rest assured, it’s going to be a raucous crowd for game three, just as it was for the first two games. The Nets have a 22-4 home record since January 1st. Yet one of those losses was to these Raptors. The Raptors need to get past the initial storm and stay composed throughout. They’ve played the Nets very well in their home arena during their two meetings, and that shouldn’t change either tonight or on Sunday. The Raptors need to at least split these next two games and earn back home court. They’ll have their first opportunity to do so tonight.
X-Factor: Terrence Ross
The Raptors absolutely need Terrence Ross to give them something if they’re going to win this series. Ross has scored five points combined in his first two playoff games. He was plagued by foul trouble in game one, and then just couldn’t find his shot despite some clean looks in game two, going 1-8. Ross has gotten his feet wet; now he needs to produce. Game three is as good a place as any to start.
