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 /

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May 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) takes a shot past the outstretched arm of Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 96-92. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Raptors Missing Jonas Valanciunas In The Middle

While most of Toronto’s scoring comes from Lowry and DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas had emerged as one of the team’s unsung heroes before going down with an ankle injury in Game 3 of the conference semifinals.

In the seven-game set against the Pacers, Valanciunas averaged 13.6 points and 11.9 rebounds per contest.

He followed that up with an even more impressive showing against Miami, with averages of 18.3 points and 12.7 rebounds per contest, while converting nearly 65 percent of his shot attempts.

Against the Heat, Valanciunas’ absence wasn’t as noticeable because Hassan Whiteside was also lost for the second half of that series due to a sprained knee.

But as Game 1 demonstrated, the Raptors desperately need another reliable scoring option when the perimeter shots aren’t falling, that is where Valanciunas becomes valuable.

Sure, having Valanciunas in the lineup doesn’t mean that the Raptors would have come out on top in this one. However, he does provide them with a low-post presence and his solid rebounding creates second-chance opportunities, an element that was noticeable missing in this contest.

Next: No. 1

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