ECF: | (1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (2) Toronto Raptors | CLE 2-1

[Left Side Drive]

Cavs are just way more talented and deep. Have three point threats all over the goddamn place and can counter by driving to the paint relentlessly. Raptors can't shoot unless Lowry is playing like an all-star and creating opportunities. Also, have played basketball non stop with two 7 game series so fatigue is starting to set in.

[dalton749]

Didn't expect this at all. Not after the 1st quarter. Raptors just played awful as a team early on in the 2nd and the lead just continued to grow until it was out of hand. Figures that Derozan has a decent shooting night when the rest of the team is mostly awful. To top it off, Cavs bench dominated the Raptors bench. Expect a better performance in Game 2 and hope the Raps steal a game or two but they aren't winning this series.

I actually thought that was a terrible start. They came out trying to play the Cav's game, and it was obvious they weren't going to sustain demars long 2s. It took clevland off guard, but once they adjusted it was all downhill because the Cav's had found their rythm.

[BayArea408415]

Didn't expect this at all. Not after the 1st quarter. Raptors just played awful as a team early on in the 2nd and the lead just continued to grow until it was out of hand. Figures that Derozan has a decent shooting night when the rest of the team is mostly awful. To top it off, Cavs bench dominated the Raptors bench. Expect a better performance in Game 2 and hope the Raps steal a game or two but they aren't winning this series.

I actually thought that was a terrible start. They came out trying to play the Cav's game, and it was obvious they weren't going to sustain demars long 2s. It took clevland off guard, but once they adjusted it was all downhill because the Cav's had found their rythm.

I didn't watch the 1st but if that's the case, no wonder the Raps got dug into a deep hole so early.

[improper]

LOL all ten plays from the Sportscenter top ten from tonight were the Cavs.

[J the Drafter]

I'll admit, I fell into the trap that the eastern conference had improved.

I'm remembering the time the Lakers blew out the Suns in game one of the 2010 WCF, and the time the Spurs swept the Grizzlies in the 2013 WCF, but okay.

[Birdie]

82 pts from layups, dunks, restricted area and free throws. 21pts from 3. That's just crazy #'s from CLE. Let's do it again boys! Thursday is too far away. Ready for Game 2.

And also, shoutout to those people still in Jurassic Park despite the blowout. True fans.

Yea that's always been something no one can make fun of about Toronto sports fans, super hardcore loyal fans.

No doubt. The 6 crowd is Top 5 in NBA if not Top 2 imo. They travel hella great too. I was watchin a MIL vs TOR game earlier in the year and the chants were drowning out the in-game music, it was great,

[Crazomali]

Is this some sort of rope-a-dope strategy to catch the Cavs sleeping in game 2 and steal home court?

We have one trap card remaining

[Crazomali]

Wanted atleast an competitive game but if I can't have that at least I enjoyed this run and can look forward to the NBA Draft. I mean let's be real it was always going to be either Cavs, GSW, Spurs (Rip), and OKC

[infinite11285]

Lue deserves major credit for shoring up Cleveland's rotations; especially the second unit, which was an absolute mess under Blatt.

[basketball royalty]

Well, the good news is that one is over. Hopefully can put up a stronger fight with a better gameplan on Thursday.

I'm thinking we need Patterson back on the bench to help that unit score more. May as well start Scola as this is a series he may actually be able to put some time in without hurting too much. Or at least without hurting anymore than we already are.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[kvash37]

I'll admit, I fell into the trap that the eastern conference had improved.

I'm remembering the time the Lakers blew out the Suns in game one of the 2010 WCF, and the time the Spurs swept the Grizzlies in the 2013 WCF, but okay.

What does the western conference have to do with it? My point was the east has not improved. The level of talent between the Cavs and the other teams is huge. If the Raptors win 2 games it is a huge moral victory for them.

[HerSports85]

I'll admit, I fell into the trap that the eastern conference had improved.

I'm remembering the time the Lakers blew out the Suns in game one of the 2010 WCF, and the time the Spurs swept the Grizzlies in the 2013 WCF, but okay.

What does the western conference have to do with it? My point was the east has not improved. The level of talent between the Cavs and the other teams is huge. If the Raptors win 2 games it is a huge moral victory for them.

You're right on both points though. The West has always been more competitive compared to the East. But to the main point .. there is only 1 elite team in the East this year. There's about 5 teams in the West that I'll take over the #2 seed in the east.

Said it at the beginning of the season, the Cavs won't be tested until the finals. They're levels above all their competition.

Let's also don't let facts come into place here, not to take away from Lebron greatness because he's one of the best players ever, but to the point about the EC .. he's only eliminated 7 teams above 50 wins Kobe has eliminated 24. -- Corrected.

The East has been bad for awhile.

[RCM88x]

East is better 1-8 but West is better 1-3/4. Which is a change from the Miami/Boston years where the West was better top to bottom almost every year except for LeBron and Boston big 3 teams.

[RCM88x]

I'm remembering the time the Lakers blew out the Suns in game one of the 2010 WCF, and the time the Spurs swept the Grizzlies in the 2013 WCF, but okay.

What does the western conference have to do with it? My point was the east has not improved. The level of talent between the Cavs and the other teams is huge. If the Raptors win 2 games it is a huge moral victory for them.

You're right on both points though. The West has always been more competitive compared to the East. But to the main point .. there is only 1 elite team in the East this year. There's about 5 teams in the West that I'll take over the #2 seed in the east.

Said it at the beginning of the season, the Cavs won't be tested until the finals. They're levels above all their competition.

Let's also don't let facts come into place here, not to take away from Lebron greatness because he's one of the best players ever, but to the point about the EC .. he's only eliminated 7 teams above .500 Kobe has eliminated 24.

The East has been bad for awhile.

Dude that stat is wrong on so many levels its sad.

[HerSports85]

What does the western conference have to do with it? My point was the east has not improved. The level of talent between the Cavs and the other teams is huge. If the Raptors win 2 games it is a huge moral victory for them.

You're right on both points though. The West has always been more competitive compared to the East. But to the main point .. there is only 1 elite team in the East this year. There's about 5 teams in the West that I'll take over the #2 seed in the east.

Said it at the beginning of the season, the Cavs won't be tested until the finals. They're levels above all their competition.

Let's also don't let facts come into place here, not to take away from Lebron greatness because he's one of the best players ever, but to the point about the EC .. he's only eliminated 7 teams above .500 Kobe has eliminated 24.

The East has been bad for awhile.

Dude that stat is wrong on so many levels its sad.

What's the correct stat? ESPN just released an article on this. Maybe I didn't remember the numbers right. Help me out

[Birdie]

Well, the good news is that one is over. Hopefully can put up a stronger fight with a better gameplan on Thursday.

I'm thinking we need Patterson back on the bench to help that unit score more. May as well start Scola as this is a series he may actually be able to put some time in without hurting too much. Or at least without hurting anymore than we already are.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

I hear what you're sayin but oeuff...Cavs are gonna PnR Scola to deh and by putting PPat on the bench, in essence, you're just rolling out a 3pt lineup in the 2nd unit with Ross/PPat + 3 others. With Val down, your rotations are out of whack cuz Biyombo's energy off the bench is negated as well being that he's in the starting lineup.

I think it'd be best for Lowry to start with the 2nd unit when LBJ is on the court with CLE 2nd unit and Kyrie is off the floor. No way can Casey rest DD/Lowry at the same time but needs to stagger it to take advantage of the lineups out on the floor.

What do Rap fans think of this? Start CoryJo, put PPat on the bench. Let Cory Jo hound Kyrie so Lowry doesn't have to and can focus offensively.

[Rapaz]

How's shamblesland homie? I got your back will join in the fun real soon

The party is just getting started, fam. Eager to see you here soon. Shame that the best season in Raptors franchise history will end with an undignified gutting. But, hey, at least you won 2 playoff series this year, to net you 3 total in the past 21 seasons. Things are trending up in "Loserville"

[Birdie]

I think JR comes out Game 2 going 9-16 from 3 to tie most 3's in playoff game. Cavs win by 17. LBJ with triple-double and only has to score 15-19.

[Benedict_Boozer]

Only 1 game, but the Raps are in trouble because they have no answer for Lebron. If you can't at least keep him out of the paint it's a wrap. OKC has this same problem. Bron kills you at the rim and if you double, CLE will spam you with threes.

GS has Iggy who makes him work but TOR and OKC have nobody physically big/athletic enough. Honestly simple as that.

[HerSports85]

I think Raptors win game 3. But it's over in 5