Toronto Raptors: 5 Keys To Playing The Cleveland Cavaliers

May 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) celebrates his basket with point guard Cory Joseph (6) and point guard Kyle Lowry (7) against the Miami Heat in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Heat 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 22, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) reacts to a call during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

1. The Raptors must improve their three-point defense in a hurry

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been knocking down three-point shots at a historic rate so far in the playoffs.

They have set the NBA record for three-point makes in a game with 25 and out of the seven playoff games with more than 20 made threes for one team in NBA playoff history, three have come from the Cavs in this year’s playoffs.

The Toronto Raptors were 29th in the NBA in three-point defense when it comes to percentage allowed. In the regular season, the Cavs shot 50 percent from behind the arc against the Raptors.

Without Valanciunas in the middle, the Cavs can turn to Channing Frye at center and truly stretch the Raptors defense out.

The solution is not an easy one for Dwane Casey. While the Cavs’ perimeter assault in the regular season was largely against a DeMarre Carroll-less squad, Carroll will be tasked with covering LeBron James, who primarily distributes to the Cavs shooters.

Both James and Kyrie Irving are adept at getting to the rim and finishing, so Casey and the Raptors will need to find the balance between taking away the three-point line, and giving up too many buckets at the rim.

Next: Get to the line

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