Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Raptors

2. Turnovers are the equalizer

Cleveland is going to get bullied in the paint. Trying to win the rebounding, points in the paint and free throw battle is a futile exercise. In Game 1, the Cavaliers were out-rebounded by five, shot 10 fewer free throws than their opponents and were crushed down low. Turnovers, however, were the equalizer.

The Cavs only coughed the ball up five times compared to Toronto’s 13. Those 13 turnovers turned into 21 points that kept the Cavaliers in the contest.

Cleveland was like a boxer, taking body blow after body blow (sometimes literally). But then the Raptors, continuing the boxing comparison, mistakenly left themselves exposed with untimely giveaways.

Unless several Cavaliers players go through post-puberty growth spurts this week, they will always be smaller than Toronto, so being smarter and more composed is imperative.

As LeBron expressed in his postgame interview, that’s one of the strengths of the team.

The Cavaliers will need that composure as the series progresses.