The thrill of being the Eastern Conference Finals is gone now, for the most part. The Toronto Raptors are here, and they have not been able to compete against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Being down 2-0 to a Cavaliers team who is yet to lose a postseason game is not an encouraging sight. Still. Raptors fans need to cling onto that belief – because if they don’t, what’s the point of it all?
The Raptors will hope that a return to the ACC will fix things in this series, but it won’t be that simple. They have been outplayed in virtually every facet, to the point where doing any analysis is basically null. If the Raptors want to win this game, the following needs to happen….
Cage’s Keys to the Game
Find the right defensive equation
So far, the Raptors have gotten burned from dribble penetration when they tried to protect the three point line, and vice versa. They need to figure out a way to balance the two, mostly by slowing LeBron James. Yikes.
Hit your damn shots
I don’t know what it is, but the Raptors can’t seem to hit open shots at their regular rate this series. Perhaps it’s fatigue. Maybe it’s nervousness. Whatever it is, the Raptors cannot win games if they aren’t hitting their open shots – particularly from deep.
Run management
It seems that the Raptors always compete until the Cavs bury them with 1 run. After that run the Raptors basically find themselves playing catch-up. That one run needs to be mitigated, and hopefully the hometown cooking will do the trick.
X-Factor: Kyle Lowry
Not the most wild pick, but the reality is this team lives and dies with Klow. He’s been dreadful, and has looked exhausted on both ends. If the Raptors want any chance, they need the game 7 vs Miami Lowry to return. I really, really hope he does.
