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Cavs vs Raptors Game 2: What We Learned

By Jackson Flickinger

May 3, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (center) huddles with his team before game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (center) huddles with his team before game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 3, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) reacts in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) reacts in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

7. DeRozan and Lowry can’t get anything going

The Cavs have played two exceptional games of defense. They have held DeRozan and Lowry in check for the first two games of the series by effective traps and double teams. Cleveland is forcing players other than DeRozan and Lowry to beat them.

DeRozan is a great player and arguably the best shooting guard in the conference. However, he was held to just 5 points on 2 of 11 shooting in Game 2.

J.R. Smith deserves a lot of praise for this. He did an excellent job of staying in front of DeRozan and playing good team defense.

For the Raptors to get back in the series DeRozan and Lowry need to step their game up significantly. They are certainly capable of doing so. They did it last year with huge performances in Game 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. That being said they need to find a way to counter the double teams and traps.

We’ll see if the complexion of the series changes in Game 3 when it shifts to Toronto. We’ll see if the Cavs have what it takes to pull out a road win on Friday.

Related Story: The Cavs Are Getting After It On Defense

What did you learn from the Cleveland Cavaliers win over the Toronto Raptors in Game 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.