By Justin Batiste
Round 3: Cavaliers v.s Raptors
The Toronto Raptors will get another shot at LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at 8:00 eastern time on TNT. After losing to LeBron James and the Cavaliers two years in a row.
This year is the Raptors best chance to finally eliminate the player and team whose been standing in their way from advancing to the next round. Although, whoever the Raptors will have to go up against in the eastern conference finals, rather it be the 76ers or Celtics, it won’t be a cake walk. However, beating LeBron James in a playoff series has to give any team a great amount of confidence moving forward into the next round. With that being said, this isn’t LeBron’s best team, but they’ll still be defeating a player who has had the east secured for a number a years.
This Raptors team has had a historical season this year. This Raptors team now holds the record for most regular season wins in Raptors history with 59, and they were able to clinch a first seed for the first time ever in Raptors history. Also, the Raptors two main players in Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan were named all-stars again. This is Lowry’s fourth year in a row making it, and for DeRozan his third year.
Recently, the Raptors were able to close out John Wall and the Wizards, in Washington, in a close game six. Lead by Kyle Lowry’s 24-point performance, and big time fourth quarter. Not only did Lowry show up in the fourth, but it was the suffocating defense and rebounding by the Raptors that helped them finish off this game.
LeBron James is a different beast, but this isn’t the same Cavaliers team that we’ve seen in the past. In the Pacers and Cavaliers series, no one other than LeBron James scored over 20 points. The Pacers were the better team, but unfortunately for the Pacers the Cavaliers had the best player in the game on their team.
So, the Raptors main focus looks like it will be to stop one man from beating them. Not saying that’s an easy task by any means, but it’s easier than slowing down two players. Two players meaning Kyrie Irving and LeBron James. However, if J.R. Smith can come alive with his three-point shooting, and Kevin Love can average around 20 ppg the Cavaliers can possibly make it out this series alive. Also, defense and rebounding will play a huge part in this series for the Cavaliers.
After this amazing season by the Raptors, they’re still doubted by most. The only way the Raptors can quite the haters is if they win. Point blank. If there’s been any year for the Raptors to defeat LeBron it’s this year. Their time is now, and it starts tonight in Toronto. If the Cavaliers are able to make it past this round, it’s going to be amazing to see how they do it. This is supposed to be a different Raptors team. It’s time to see how serious they really are.
