After outlasting the Indiana Pacers in Game 7, the Cleveland Cavaliers now shift their attention towards the Toronto Raptors in the second round
On the back of LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers outlast the Indiana Pacers in a hard fought seven-game series to clinch their spot in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
LeBron scored 45 and played 43 minutes as the Cavaliers finally put the finishing touches on the young Pacers. Now, Cleveland can pivot its attention on the Toronto Raptors, who they will be meeting in the playoffs for the third straight season.
In those last two playoff series, the Cavs are 8-2 against Toronto – and swept them in the second round last season.
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But, as many basketball minds will tell you, these are not the same old Raptors. And they might be right.
Toronto now has one of the NBA’s most explosive benches; DeMar DeRozan also has a 3-point shot and has looked better than ever.
At the same rate, these aren’t the same old Cavs. Cleveland has never looked more vulnerable and this is a team that has only been together for a few months.
Nevertheless, here they are again. In the second round with as good as a shot as any team in the East of making the NBA Finals. Plus, there’s that entire LeBron James constant. He’s been to the NBA Finals every year for the last seven seasons.
Is this finally the year that a team in the East can snap that streak? I feel like we’ve been hoping that for years, but in the end LeBron always makes us look silly.
That’s the task that the likes of the Raptors have in front of them. Is this finally the year for a break through?
Only time will tell, but this could genuinely be it. The Raptors and Cavaliers will begin their series Tuesday night.