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Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Keys To Beating The Raptors

By James D. Tillman III

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
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 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) talks to guard DeMar DeRozan (10) 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
May 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) talks to guard DeMar DeRozan (10) 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 /

2. Slow Down Kyle Lowry & DeMar DeRozan

The fact that the Raptors’ backcourt has struggled for the better part of these playoffs has been well documented. For starters, DeRozan shot just 32 and 39 percent, respectively, through the first two rounds of the playoffs.

On the flip side of the coin, in the past three outings, he is averaging 28.3 points per contest on 43 percent shooting, including a 28-point performance in the series finale against the Heat.

That being said, it is possible that DeRozan is starting to turn the corner and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Meanwhile, on the heels of a forgettable first-round series against the Indiana Pacers in which he averaged just 13.9 points per contest on 31.6 percent shooting, Lowry’s stock has been trending upward as of late.

In Games 5-7 of the conference semifinals, Lowry averaged 32.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists while connecting on 44.4 percent of his attempts.

Additionally, the Raptors took two of three regular season meetings between the two ball clubs and Lowry was a big reason for that. In those three contests, Lowry averaged any eye-popping 31.0 points, 8.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds with shooting splits of .660/.438/.769.

It should also be mentioned that Lowry had a PER of 46.2 against the Cavaliers this season, which is the highest rating of any player they have faced this season.

Simply put, the Cavaliers will need to find a way to slow down the talented duo that has been playing well as of late.

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