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East’s 4 Biggest Threats To Cleveland Cavaliers

By James D. Tillman III

Mar 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with center Tristan Thompson (13) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with center Tristan Thompson (13) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) gets ready as guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and center Bismack Biyombo (8) look on while Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) looks on at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Cavaliers 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) gets ready as guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and center Bismack Biyombo (8) look on while Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) looks on at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Cavaliers 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Raptors

I already know what most of you are thinking. How on earth did the Raptors make this list, right?

For the most part, I would be inclined to agree with you. After all, they have only seven playoff appearances since their inaugural 1995-96 campaign.

Along with that, the Raptors have been eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs six times in those seven appearances, including a 4-0 sweep at the hands of the Washington Wizards in last year’s playoffs. In other words, their playoff history isn’t one that would necessarily make an opposing team lose sleep at night.

Despite their less-than-stellar playoff showings, though, the Raptors are not a team that should be overlooked by any means. If you take a look at the standings, you will see that they are just two-and-half games behind the Cavaliers. And with 20 games left on their schedule, it is possible that the Raptors could still claim the top spot in the conference.

Furthermore, the Raptors have taken two of the three meetings between these ball clubs, which is impressive considering that the Cavs currently boast a 12-3 record against the Atlantic division.

Another factor that favors the Raptors is that they averaged close to 101 points against Cleveland while converting 50 percent of their shot attempts in the three-game set between the two teams. And in terms of star power, Kyle Lowry’s stat line against the Cavs includes an impressive 31.0 points, 8.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 steals per contest with shooting splits of .660/.438/.769.

Based on these trends, the Raptors are capable of putting up numbers in an efficient manner. Being that they have had success against the Cavs, they will be confident about their chances if these teams cross paths in the postseason.

Next: Boston Celtics

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