Toronto Raptors: 5 keys to series vs. Cavaliers
By Chris Conner
4. Keeping Cavs’ role players in check
As things currently stand, there’s no longer a Big 3, and there currently isn’t even a Big 2 playing for the Cavaliers. It’s been LeBron James or bust.
While it’s fair to say the Cavs have been James-or-bust all season, you can argue their supporting cast is underperforming. Five-time All-Star Kevin Love is currently shooting 33.3 percent from the field through seven games, a number that’s bound to rise.
If Toronto is to win, it must not only continue to stifle Love but several other of the Cavaliers’ role players, with Tristan Thompson possibly being one of them. After having a tough season marred by role switches, Thompson had his most impactful game of the season in Game 7 against the Pacers.
Tristan Thompson.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 29, 2018
Games 1-6: 3 PTS, 6 REB
Game 7: 15 PTS, 10 REB, THIS BLOCK pic.twitter.com/vLETNNwFrI
Finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds, it was the type of performance the Raptors will look to keep under wraps.
If they can keep James’ help limited, they have a wonderful chance in the series,
LeBron James has proven for his career and in particular last series that his greatness is enough alone to win a playoff series. But Toronto isn’t Indiana. It’s longer, more athletic and has one of the deepest rotations in basketball, so if the role players can be limited, the Raptors have a better chance of advancing.