2018 NBA Playoffs: Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers preview

Individual Matchups:

Point Guard: Kyle Lowry vs. J.R. Smith

An All-Star for the past four seasons, Kyle Lowry has morphed into one of the best two-way point guards in the NBA after an early career that had many predicting the potential ceiling of a role player.

At 205 pounds, Lowry is able to use his strength to get to the basket but also possesses a feathery touch from beyond the arc. It’s that strength that also makes him a plus on the defensive end, capable of wearing down his opponent.

While not usually a point guard, nor will he ever be given consistent ball-handling duties, because of the success of their Game 7 lineup, it’s safe to assume that coach Tyronn Lue will continue to slot J.R. at the point with James running the show unofficially.

At his best, Smith is a knock-down 3-point shooter with the ability to guard the opposing team’s best player with pretty good measures of success. At his worst, J.R. can’t hit the ocean with a pebble, and his defense resembles that of a revolving door.

Where he lands in this series is anyone’s guess. Advantage: Raptors

Shooting Guard: DeMar DeRozan vs. Kyle Korver

After averaging a career-high 27.3 points per game during the 2016-17 season, DeMar DeRozan opened his game up tremendously the following year, upping both his 3-point percentage and assist totals.

His newfound unselfishness doesn’t stop the four-time All-Star from getting buckets though, as DeRozan still has an elite mid-range game with an uncanny ability to earn multiple trips to the free throw line.

With a career 43.1 3-point percentage, Kyle Korver is one of the best shooters in NBA history, forcing multiple defenders to gravitate towards him coming off pin-downs and flare screens.

Even at 34, Korver has still found ways to be impactful on the defensive end, giving constant effort while having a keen understanding of Cleveland’s defensive schemes.

Despite his improved two-way process, there is no way that Korver matches up with the younger, more athletic and frankly more skilled DeRozan.

Advantage: Raptors

Small Forward: OG Anunoby vs. LeBron James

With long arms and a 37.1 percent conversion rate from deep, OG Anunoby, in just his first NBA season, is already one of the better 3-and-D players in the league.

Despite his immense potential on both ends of the floor, it shouldn’t have to be said that he doesn’t come remotely close to matching what LeBron James can do. In this, his 15th season at age 33, James is still playing at the top of his game.

With three 40+ point games against the Pacers in round one, LeBron continues to show the NBA world that he still has plenty left in the tank, more than enough to contend with the youthful Anunoby. Advantage: Cavaliers

Power Forward: Serge Ibaka vs. Kevin Love

Even after losing a step or two on the defensive end, Serge Ibaka is still a terrorizing force, capable of guarding multiple positions while defending the rim as a weak-side shot blocker.

Through the years, Serge has worked hard at developing a 3-point shot, and it’s clearly paid off, as the nine-year veteran shot 36 percent from distance during the regular season.

More from Cleveland Cavaliers

• Latest intel calls Donovan Mitchell’s future with the Cavs into question
• 5 players who will challenge Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year
• Cleveland Cavaliers: Analyzing the Max Strus acquisition
• Ranking the 5 best available shooting guards in 2023 NBA free agency
• NBA Rumors: Cavs have secret weapon to lure LeBron back to Cleveland

After shooting 41.5 percent during the regular season on three balls, Kevin Love is one of the best stretch-big men in the NBA, and with the ability to rebound the ball at a high rate from both the power forward and center position, Love is capable of averaging 20 and 10 in his sleep.

However, struggles against the Pacers in round one should call to question Love’s capabilities, as he averaged under 12 points on 33.8 percent shooting in the seven games.

Love will always have the opportunity to regain his All-Star form, but against a defensive-minded big man who isn’t asked to do as much as Love offensively, that doesn’t seem very likely. Advantage: Raptors

Center: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Tristan Thompson

As more of a throwback center, Valanciunas prefers to throw his 265-pound frame around in the paint, posting up opposing big men and attacking the glass on both ends. He’s not a great shot-blocker, nor is he a versatile defender, which makes him a tough play down the stretch of close games.

Tristan Thompson had a resurgence in Game 7 against Indiana after barely playing in the first six games, and it looks like coach Tyronn Lue will stick with a veteran who knows his schemes and is comfortable in playoff basketball.

While Thompson is limited offensively, when at his best, he’s a high-energy big man with the desire to grab every rebound available, as well as an ability to switch onto the perimeter in the pick-and-roll.

Both Valanciunas and Thompson have their flaws, but in the modern NBA, Thompson’s skill-set translates better over the course of 48 minutes. Advantage: Cavaliers