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Cavs vs. Raptors Game 3: What We Learned

By Jackson Flickinger

May 5, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after being fouled by Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half of game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after being fouled by Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half of game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 5, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (right) tries to dribble around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (right) tries to dribble around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Kyrie Irving is in a serious slump

Irving struggled once again in Game 3. He put up 16 points on an inefficient 7 of 21 (33.0 percent) shooting from the field with 4 assists.

I pointed out after last game that he can have a positive influence on the game through facilitating teammates and playing solid defense. However, his best attribute is his scoring ability. It’s at an elite level without a doubt. Cleveland needs him to rediscover his shooting stroke for them to repeat as champions.

Irving has developed a reputation as being a clutch playoff scorer throughout his young career. However, he has had a tough go of it through the first seven games of this year’s playoff run. His overall field goal percentage, three-point percentage, true shooting percentage and effective field goal percentage are all at career playoff lows.

Overall, Irving is shooting just 39.6 percent from the field and 27.5 percent from behind the arc.

We’ve seen Kyrie go through rough spells shooting throughout his career. He’s always found a way to break out of those slumps. I have confidence that he will break out of it soon. It’s just frustrating watching him put up five more shots than LeBron when he plays nine less minutes and is shooting just 33.0 percent from the floor.