Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Cavaliers
By Chris Conner
3. Toronto has reached its sunken place
It’s difficult building up against the odds just to be placed back down again. It’s hard constructing a deeper roster just for it not to matter in the postseason. Right now, it’s simply hard being the Toronto Raptors. While the series isn’t over yet, Game 2 gave those familiar feelings.
The raptors are dunzo. Air canada center is DEAD. Toronto doing Toronto things.
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) May 3, 2018
DeMar DeRozan, however, had a different perspective.
"We thrive off of adversity."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 4, 2018
DeMar DeRozan following their Game 2 loss at home against Cleveland.#GameTime pic.twitter.com/ZJK95ebPvr
Th Raptors have often preached about how important it was to stick to the script and play the basketball that got them into the second round. If they were to win, they were going to need to play team basketball on both sides of the floor. That style of play hasn’t yet materialized, and against the Cavaliers, the Raptors again look unrecognizable.
"The way we played tonight was not us."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 4, 2018
Raptors HC Dwane Casey on what he told his team after their Game 2 loss at home.#GameTime pic.twitter.com/VQ0Dh5HIof
If there’s a team built schematically to overcome this deficit, it’s Toronto. This possesses the ability, the cast of characters needed and the mental toughness. But against the Cavaliers, it still has to prove that type of toughness exists within. It’s what true “adversity” is all about.