Toronto Raptors: 5 keys to series vs. Cavaliers

(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Don’t forget what got you there

Pressure bursts pipes. Pressure can make teams and people overthink. It can make them change or make mistakes without threat. And it can also make an NBA team go away from what’s brought it success over time.

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It was hard for the Raptors to secure an identity up until this season. Their balanced approach made them unique. The good riddance to iso-basketball made them less predictable and harder to game plan against.

As with any change, previous demons always come back. Toronto will have to avoid them.

The Raptors have a unique mixture of shot-creators and role players, but anytime their creators try and do too much, they get in obvious trouble.

If Toronto can get efficient, big games from both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan while continuing to move the basketball, it’ll be in good shape.

The Raptors also possess one of the best benches in basketball. They can’t fall into the trap of overplaying their stars due to the expected minutes LeBron James will play. Sticking to what got them there will be crucial.