2017 NBA Playoffs Roundup, Day 6: LeBron Making History, Moose Is On The Loose And R.I.P. Raptors

2017 NBA Playoff Roundup, Day 6: LeBron Making History, Moose Is On The Loose And R.I.P. Raptors

Apr 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dunks against the Indiana Pacers in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 20, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; The Toronto Raptors watch the game in the closing minutes as the Raptors lost to the Milwaukeee Bucks 104-77 in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

R.I.P. Raptors

The Toronto Raptors had 12 points in the first quarter and 30 at halftime. They stood at 46 points heading into the final frame, which still would’ve had them down 11 points if they had put that up in the first half.

At no point in Game 3 were the Raptors even remotely competitive. Kyle Lowry slipped back into Playoff Kyle Lowry, going 4-for-10 from the floor. DeMar DeRozan was even worse, finishing with eight points — all from the foul line — on 0-of-8 shooting. Lowry and Delon Wright were the team’s leading scorers with 13 points apiece.

This is not the Eastern contender we were promised.

This is a franchise-altering kind of loss for Toronto
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) April 21, 2017

Thursday night’s bloodbath was not only a revelation for the series (i.e., the Raptors are completely outmatched against Milwaukee’s length), but also for this core’s long-term future. Remember, Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Patrick Patterson and P.J. Tucker are all free agents this summer.

Unless we see a drastically different Toronto team in Game 4 and for the rest of the playoffs, what reason does general manager Masai Ujiri to blow all his cap space on a core that continually falters when it matters most? R.I.P. Raptors.