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2017 NBA Playoffs: 10 Random 1st Round X-Factors We Weren’t Expecting

By Gerald Bourguet

April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
Apr 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) and center Jakob Poeltl (42) celebrate a basket during the fourth quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 118-93. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Norman Powell

This doesn’t come as a surprise to Toronto Raptors fans, or anyone who’s watched “We The North” play over the last year and a half, but this team is better when Norman Powell plays. Seeing as how Dwane Casey was only feeding him 18.0 minutes per game during the regular season, we’re counting this drastic uptick in minutes as an unforeseen postseason X-factor.

In the first three games of the series, Powell played a grand total of 21 minutes. But with the Raptors in dire need of a change down 2-1, Casey made the brilliant decision to move Powell into the starting lineup over Jonas Valanciunas. Serge Ibaka was shifted to the 5, and suddenly Toronto had a small-ball lineup that boasted playmakers and shooters at every position.

https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/856685946514886659

In Game 4, Powell had 12 points on 3-of-7 shooting, knocking down all three of his three-pointers. But in Game 5 he was an even bigger factor, scoring a team-high 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 4-for-4 from deep. He even added four rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block for good measure.

With victories in the last two games, bringing Powell into the starting lineup may be the checkmate that advances Toronto to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Raptors fans have known this kid is good for quite some time, but Casey switching to him in the starting lineup was a welcome, unexpected change that’s completely turned the series around.