Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Takeaways From Game 1 Blowout

Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Takeaways From Game 1 vs. Raptors

May 17, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a 115-84 win over the Toronto Raptors in game one of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 6

May 17, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira (92) and forward DeMarre Carroll (5) watch from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game one of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 115-84. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

4. No Need To Panic … Yet

To be honest, there weren’t many positives to take from this game if you’re a Raptors fan. In addition to the Cavaliers setting a franchise record with the 31-point victory, no Raptors starter finished with a plus rating in this contest. Talk about a serious buzzkill.

On the brighter side of things, this 31-point loss has the same significance as if the Raptors had lost by two points. Another dose of good news for the Raptors is that they have been here before.

In the previous two rounds of the playoffs, the Raptors lost the series openers before eventually going on to win the series.

Let’s not forget that the Oklahoma City Thunder were trounced by the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of their conference semifinals series before going on to win four of the next five games.

"“It’s one game,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said, via TheStar.com, “The series isn’t over by any means. The score is embarrassing, but it’s just one game.”"

That being said, I expect the Raptors to bounce back with a better effort in Game 2. The question is will it be enough for them to pull out a win on the road?

Next: No. 3

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers