Okay, so the analysts on the NBA Jump show just said that they either expect a sweep or a gentleman's sweep in the Raptors/Cavs series.
Really? How do others feel about that assessment? I know that I still was not impressed with the Cavs in the Pacers series, especially their lackluster D, even if it was a sweep. And I know that the Raptors have looked shaky at times this year.
However, theoretically, the Raptors have the perimeter and post pieces to give the Cavs D fits, but they also have at least the pieces to actually defend and make things difficult for the Cavs O.
I don't know. I'm not sure that this Raptors team is consistent enough to beat them, but I think they have the pieces to give them a lot of trouble. I can easily see a back and forth 7 game series between these teams.
Pretty surprised by that. Not that whatever you're listening to is an actual good source material for understanding the game imo. Cavs should win in 5 or 6. You actually think this series can go in 7 though? It's amazing to me how you continue to disrespect the Cavs. They're going to sleepwalk to the Finals imo. Lebron will post up Smart and dunk on him like he did last time haha.
I am a bit perplex by the idea that the Cavs will just steamroll the raptors. A few points to consider
Last year the series went 6 games without the Raptors having Ibaka or Tucker. The Raptors were starting Luis Scola in that series. I repeat the raptors were starting Luis Scola and still won 2 games.
The Cavs had a worse record the second half of the season than the Raptors despite the Raptors missing Lowry for most of it.
The Cavs may benefit from having a week off for the old legs, but they have poor frontcourt depth and 5 out of their top 8 players are over 30 with several approaching their mid 30's (williams, Korver, Jefferson)
Though the Cavs swept the Pacers, it was not like they steamrolled them. It was the smallest margin of defeat for a sweep in 20 years (16 points total!)
Irving has a banged up knee that seems to be really slowing him down.
The Cavs could obviously play well and hit all their 3's and dominate, but there are a lot of things that give you pause before assuming a 5 game Cavs victory.