2017 NBA Playoffs roundup, day 16: Rockets fire away, Cavaliers dominate Raptors as expected
Raptors Need Another Powell Play
In their first round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Toronto Raptors turned things around by inserting Norman Powell into the starting lineup.
It’s hard to say that’s what needs to happen against the Cavaliers, because more than likely, this is just a case of a good team facing a far better one. But after a disastrous series opener, the Raptors need some sort of power play.
To be fair, Powell didn’t exactly shine in Game 1. He finished with 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting, got roasted by Kyrie Irving in one of Cleveland’s many highlight plays and didn’t make much of an impact overall.
However, even though the majority of his 21 minutes came in garbage time, he was still a +14 for the game. That may seem like a fluke against Cleveland’s reserves, and it’s probably meaningless in that context. But it’s also true that for the playoffs, the Raptors have been substantially better with him on the floor:
After tonight, Raptors are...
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) May 2, 2017
+58 in 141 min. w/ Norman Powell on the floor &
-65 in 195 min. w/ Powell off the floor
... in the playoffs
For Toronto to compete in this series, Kyle Lowry (20 points, 11 assists) and DeMar DeRozan (16 points, 7-of-16 shooting) have to be much better. But if this team stumbles out of the gate again in Game 2, especially with so many wings to call upon, it might be time to think about another Powell Play.
At that point, the Raptors wouldn’t have much to lose anyway.