How did the Cleveland Cavaliers and their key players perform against the Toronto Raptors?
The defending champions, Cleveland Cavaliers once again dominated the Toronto Raptors in a playoff series. This time, the Cavs swept the Raptors. Now, the Cavs will have another week off in the playoffs before the Eastern Conference Finals.
Here’s how the Cleveland Cavaliers second round series against the Toronto Raptors looked, by the numbers.
- The Cavaliers averaged 116.3 points per game against Toronto and only gave up 101.0 points per game in the series.
- The Cavaliers are 8-0 this postseason. The Cavs are now 11-0 dating back to the NBA Finals when they won Games 5-7.
- LeBron this past series vs. the Toronto Raptors, averaged 36 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 block per game. In addition, his efficiency was off the charts.
- Field goals: 57.3 percent (43-75)
- Three-point field goals: 48.1 percent (13-27)
- Free-throw: 83.3 percent (45-54)
Remember, James’ goal this postseason was to shoot 80.0 percent from the free throw line.
He fulfilled his vow in the series against the Toronto Raptors.
James’ dominance could come as a surprise to some because James is 32-years-old. Players at his age or with as much as many career minutes as James between the regular season, postseason and international play, should not be dominating like this.
But James knows his body, has protected his body and stays in impeccable shape. That’s allowed James to withstand the test of time and continue to be the best player in the world, even after the top contenders for the position elevate their game. We’re truly witnessing one of the greatest player, and possibly the greatest player, to ever play the game.
Forget about his NBA Finals record. Just watch at how he dominates the game in every aspect.
Keep in mind that the Warriors, who went 73-9 and lost to the Cavs in seven games in the 2016 NBA Finals after defeating James and Cavs in six games in the 2015 NBA Finals, signed Kevin Durant because they felt they needed more help to beat him. Durant, for his part, has not fared well playing against James in his career.
Here’s a look at how the two have fared head-to-head matchups:
Regular Season Table Player W L MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PTS LeBron James 14 4 38.1 10.7 20.8 .512 1.9 5.2 .376 5.6 7.3 .758 1.4 5.7 7.1 6.6 2.2 0.8 3.8 28.8 Kevin Durant 4 14 39.1 9.9 20.5 .485 2.1 5.2 .404 6.9 8.0 .861 0.7 6.1 6.8 3.7 1.3 1.1 3.3 28.9 Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/9/2017.Breaking down Kyrie Irving’s game: 22.3 points, 8.5 assists, 3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game throughout the series.
- Irving overall field goals: 37.5 percent (30-80)
- Irving overall three-point field goals: 36.0 percent (9-25)
- Irving overall free-throws: 90.9 percent (20-22)
*Interesting stat: Irving attempted more two-pointers than three-pointers.
Breaking down JR Smith game this series: 6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.
- Smith overall field goals: 42.1 percent (8-19)
- Smith overall three-point field goals: 44.4 percent (8-18)
- Smith overall free throws: null
*Interesting stat: Smith only attempted one shot inside the arc.
Breaking down Kevin Love game: 12 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
- Love overall field goals: 44.7 percent (17-38)
- Love overall three-point field goals: 40.0 percent (6-15)
- Love overall free throws: 80.0 percent (8-10)
Breaking down Tristan Thompson game: 8.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
- Thompson overall field goals: 54.2 percent (13-24)
- Thompson overall free-throws: 64.3 percent (9-14)
- Thompson overall three-point field goals: null
Breaking down Kyle Korver game: 10.3 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist per game
- Korver overall field goals: 58.3 percent (14-24)
- Korver overall three-point field goals: 55.0 percent (11-20)
- Korver overall free throws:100.0 percent (2-2)
— Cavs-Raptors x-factor —
What these numbers show the Cavs have for sure flipped the switch. Even Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said it after Game 4 of how the Cavs are a different team now.
Per Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon:
"“They did flip a switch. They are a totally different team defensively and definitely offensively.”"These numbers show how dominate the Cavs are and it shows how LeBron James is still in his prime, the King of the NBA and the best in the world. No player can touch him and what he’s doing right now.
Yes, Skip Bayless, not even Kawhi Leonard.
Hey, LeBron: It's over. Kawhi Leonard is now the best player in the NBA. Sorry.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 4, 2017Nobody should be worrying about the Cavs right now. This team, even with how dominant Golden State has been, can win the championship.
As for Toronto and Drake: If you’re reading this….your team just got swept.
Related Story: LeBron and Co. are making it look easy
What did you think of the Cleveland Cavaliers series against the Toronto Raptors? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.
*All stats courtesy of www.basketball-reference.com