Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Keys To Beating Toronto Raptors

Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Keys To Beating The Raptors

May 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) hugs teammate forward Kevin Love (0) after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 100-99 in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 4, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Cavaliers bench, including guard Iman Shumpert (4), guard J.R. Smith (5), and center Tristan Thompson (13) celebrate Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams /

4. Continue Hot Three-Point Shooting

To say the Cleveland Cavaliers had success knocking down the long ball in the conference semifinals against the Hawks would be an understatement. For starters, they hit 77 three-pointers, which ranks second in playoff history for most made 3s in a series.

Cavs hit 77 3's this series, tying 2nd-most made 3's in postseason history. Other teams on list did it in 7 games. pic.twitter.com/95M62MkHtN
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 8, 2016

Additionally, the Cavs are the first team in NBA history to make at least 15 three-pointers in four straight games, including both the regular season and playoffs. They averaged 19 3-pointers per game against the Hawks while shooting an astounding 50.7 percent.

Furthermore, not only did the Cavaliers nearly make as many three-pointers (77) as they did two-pointers (81) against the Hawks, they are also shooting 46.2 percent from beyond the arc during their postseason run.

These numbers bode well against a Raptors team that prides itself on defending the interior and finished near the bottom of the league in opponents’ three-point field goal percentage (.373).

Simply put, if the Cavaliers continue to shoot the long ball at a respectable percentage, the short series that most people are expecting will come to fruition.

Next: No. 3

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