King James Gospel
Fansided

Eastern Conference Finals: Toronto Confident?

By Jared Mueller

May 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) defends during the third quarter in game three of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) defends during the third quarter in game three of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After controlling most of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, are Toronto fans confident?

We continue our process of going Behind Enemy Lines with Raptors Rapture after each game of the Eastern Conference Finals. Were they surprised? Are they confident? All that and more here:

The Raptors energy on offense and defense was much improved last night, was that us Cavs fans or did you notice it as well?

I think the team began to relax when the shots were going splash early on. Then they enjoyed that big Q2, and were full value for the lead. With Biyombo backstopping the D, the Raptors were clearly comfortable getting up in everyone’s grill rather than playing loose. That seemed to bother the Cavaliers.

Besides energy, what is the biggest thing you attribute last night’s win to?

The Raptors will go as far as their backcourt takes them. If Cleveland doesn’t bother Kyle Lowry, he will make shots, despite what you saw in the first two games. When both guys are taking quality shots in rhythm, they are hard to stop. The Raptors were only one win away from Cleveland in the regular season because Lowry and DeRozan were regularly combining for 40 and even 50 point games.

Bismack Biyombo had a great game last night but also is involved with some chippy play, either surprise you?

Bismack has put up some remarkable rebounding numbers this season, so his performance wasn’t a surprise. He’s not chippy normally; he’s well aware of his importance to our team in Jonas Valanciunas‘ enforced absence, and is most unlikely to do anything which will force him to the bench.

Bis was thrown a lifeline by Masai Ujiri after being dropped by Charlotte. He’s genuinely grateful that the Raptors gave him a chance to salvage his career, and would play 48 minutes if coach Casey would let him.

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan both had better games, especially DeRozan, can they keep it up?

The only complete game the Raptors have played this post-season was the clincher against Miami. Otherwise, every game has produced a different result, including several games where both our All-Stars were dreadful. Yet here we are, still with a pulse.

More from King James Gospel

It would be a brave man or woman who would predict whether tomorrow’s night Raptors backcourt will resemble Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde.

Are Raptors fans expecting a series win after last night?

No, I don’t think anyone is ready to make that bold a claim yet. Obviously, the fans were happy with a win, but most are aware that falling behind 2-0 against the Beast of the East makes a series victory extremely unlikely. A win on Monday night might create some bravado. It won’t create any more interest – that’s already intense.

Should Raptors fans have any level of confidence?