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Toronto Raptors: What Must Be Done To Exorcise Playoff Demons

By Ben Gibson

Apr 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) holds onto the ball after being knocked down against the Indiana Pacers in game one of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Indiana defeated Toronto 100-90. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) holds onto the ball after being knocked down against the Indiana Pacers in game one of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Indiana defeated Toronto 100-90. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) defends against Toronto Raptors forward Bismack Biyombo (8) in game one of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Indiana defeated Toronto 100-90. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) defends against Toronto Raptors forward Bismack Biyombo (8) in game one of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Indiana defeated Toronto 100-90. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Capitalize At The Line

The some good news for the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 was 38 trips to the foul line, but the bad news was they only made 26 (68.4 percent) of their attempts. Indiana had 25 fouls on Saturday, and that is usually a troubling sign for the Pacers.

When Indiana had 25 or more fouls this season, they were 6-10 in those games. Unsurprisingly, three of those losses came at the hands of this very same Raptors team. The Raptors averaged 26.7 free throw attempts a game in the regular season, third-most in the NBA.

Being aggressive and getting to the foul line isn’t an issue for Toronto and it converts 77 percent of its attempts when it gets there.

In Game 1, the Raptors were aggressive and went to the foul line often and that has been a recipe for success this season, especially against the Pacers. This season DeRozan averaged the third-most drives a game at 11.6 while Kyle Lowry was 12th with 9.5 a game. It won’t be surprising to see Indiana in foul trouble again and the Raptors then scoring points from the foul line.

Indiana’s two best rim-protectors — Ian Mahinmi and Lavoy Allen — struggled against to be effective in Game 1 as they combined for only five points and 10 rebounds. If they are ineffective or get into foul trouble and get removed from the lineup, that should make things easier for Toronto’s guards to drive and score or at least head to the foul line.

It also should make rebounding for the Raptors easier too.

Next: Rebounding