Raptors’ Adjustments to Watch For

What adjustments might the Toronto Raptors make in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals?

Game 1 was easy. Too easy. And you never want to get too up or too down. The game is a law of averages. Old adages. Blah Blah Blah. Game 1 wasn’t even close!

There are adjustments the Toronto Raptors will make in their battle with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here are a few I suspect:

1 – DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry to Attack The Paint

“We’ve got to come out the gate with that mindset, being aggressive like we usually do, and I think we didn’t try to do that til later on in the game” – DeMar DeRozan

• No free throws for the duo for the first time. This is largely because Lowry passed out on his sporadically timed drives or pulled up for threes and DeRozan pulled up for jumpers. This isn’t just like they wanted to do. Kyrie Irving in particularly played spectacular defense on Lowry. DeRozan’s defenders let him finish 9-17. But that was with going 7-11 from midrange contested jumpers. Add in going 0-1 from the three he got 5 shots in total inside and made two. Lowry finished 4-14 and 0-7 from three. I would say he did well inside, but all 4 of his makes came from the midrange.

• Attacking the paint slows down the game for the Raptors and allows them to control the pace. Firstly, it’s because they’re getting to the line. Secondly, it’s because with shorter distances shots rebounds are at shorter distances and improved the Raptors chance of getting the rebound yes, but mainly, getting back on defense.
• However, their natural tendencies and a big lead may keep them forcing pull-ups from the outside. Let’s say the Cavs are up 20 at halftime, they might try to chip away in the paint but if the lead doesn’t stop or grows. Hero ball and ill-advised threes appear. It’s what LeBron would call “bad basketball habits”. The Raptors ultimate limitation: bad basketball habits.

2 – Bismack Biyombo, DeMarre Carroll, and James Johnson to Clean The Glass

“The most important thing is that we played tough” – Bismack Biyombo

• The Raptors were outrebounded 54-35. This includes 10-4 on offensive rebounds. Carroll had one rebound, Biyombo had four. Johnson had four. Johnson and Biyombo seem most willing to crash the boards and Carroll who had the only other offensive rebound beside Biyombo’s two, had one as well as Johnson.
• Carroll and Biyombo’s responsibilities have to be minimized for them to have a greater effect. Johnson should see more minutes this game and he should be asked to defend LeBron, rebound, and pass. Carroll to defend whoever they ask, rebound, and shoot the open three that would have gone to Patrick Patterson. Biyombo to rebound, defend, and be ready for a pass should it come his way and to go up strong.
• Can they get enough second chances to help an inefficient offensive style? Per 100 possessions Johnson is averaging 3 offensive boards a game. Carroll averages another 2. Biyombo, a startling 6. For a team that shot 42% from the field and under 21% from three in Game 1, second chances are important.

3 – James Johnson Starting In Place Of Patrick Patterson

“He’s more valuable to us coming off the bench giving us that shot in the arm” – Dwayne Casey

• Johnson should draw the primary defensive assignment against LeBron. Carroll will probably start the game against the LeBron because he deserves the chance to redeem himself but last game was no fluke; Carroll gives up 40 pounds of pure muscle to LeBron. James Johnson is LeBron’s exact stature. Johnson also has the physicality and speed you need to guard both forwards, given that LeBron switches his defenders.
• His nickname is Bloodsport. When engaged he is aggressive and shows athleticism when he fights for rebounds. As shown by his first full year in Toronto, when he was a starter, and averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds per game. With a couple of those on the offensive end in the form of putback dunks.

• Can he knock down the three? One of the things that has limited Johnson is inconsistent shooting from deep. But honestly, Patterson isn’t shooting it that well either. Patterson is also more suited to guard Channing Frye off the bench than either starter. Johnson won’t knock down the three consistent, but, more prone to passing than catch-and-shoot Patterson, is more likely to find his teammates for good shots.

For basketball fans unfamiliar with Johnson, here are some recent highlights of the Toronto Raptor:

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4 – Ball Movement

“Our offense was made to move the ball from one side to the other” – DeMarre Carroll

• For an offense that gets bogged down by iso plays, ball movement is the only thing that got them easy points against the Cavs. Even when they didn’t get the points, they got the shot. One missed three from Patterson in the corner comes to mind.
• Outside of their guards, no player on the Raptors can create easy shots for themselves (if you stretch what I mean, Scola at least can get to the free throw line consistently by putting his body on opponents and using a series of pumps and fakes to draw the foul or actually shoot).
• The Cavaliers are well-rested. In order to make this more like a war of attrition, the Raptors could look to wear out the Cavaliers legs game by game. It seems like a lot of hero ball is going on up North. But to win a game they’ll need to move the rock a little more.

The Cavs could very well still roll through this series but I expect adjustments to made and this next game to be a little more closely fought.

What adjustments do you expect from the Raptors tonight?