Pocket book: Raptors look to exceed all expectations in Recreation 7 vs. Cavaliers

CLEVELAND — The tip of one thing sudden or the beginning of a brand new journey. 

In the event that they lose and their season involves an finish, it will likely be with the consolation of a job properly executed after a marketing campaign that noticed the Raptors exceed all expectations besides maybe their very own with 46 wins and a fifth-place end within the East. And had the collection with Cleveland been brutish and brief — and it actually appeared that means after a pair of double-digit losses to the closely favoured Cavs — there would have been some uncomfortable questions on how the Raptors may construct from right here. As an alternative, extending the collection to seven video games has opened some eyes concerning the Raptors’ collective potential going ahead. 

In the event that they win, it should vault the Raptors into the second spherical for the primary time since 2020, when the group was nonetheless being lifted by the vapour path of their 2019 championship. A second-round collection in opposition to the winner of the showdown between Detroit and Orlando — Recreation 7 in that collection will tip off at 3:30 this afternoon in Detroit, so the Raptors will know who shall be ready on them by the point the ball goes up for his or her recreation tonight (Sportsnet ONE, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT) — will give a Raptors group pushed by their youngish expertise one other crucible to advance their progress. 

As we await the unknown, a Raptors pocket book to tide everybody over. 

Three-point Grange (Recreation 7 preview version)

1. It was enjoyable within the second: 

It didn’t take lengthy for reactions to RJ Barrett’s miraculous game-winner in extra time of Recreation 6 to filter in. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton posted “That appeared acquainted” on social media, referring to the three he hit to pressure extra time in Recreation 1 of the Jap Convention Finals final yr that had an analogous back-rim-and-up bounce. Barrett’s shot to pressure Recreation 7 was shouted out and appreciated by LeBron James, as Toronto extending the collection meant that his Los Angeles Lakers would begin their second-round collection in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Tuesday somewhat than Sunday, giving Los Angeles extra time to relaxation and get again to well being.

However one one who hasn’t paid a lot consideration to the aftermath of his large shot is Barrett. “I’ve been attempting to remain off my cellphone as a lot as doable, to not take something away from the shot,” stated Barrett on the Raptors shootaround in Cleveland Sunday morning. “I’m very grateful, it was a terrific shot. I used to be very, very completely satisfied within the second, however we bought to maneuver on. [But] that shot received’t imply a lot if we don’t get the job executed right here tonight.”

2. When questionable is uncertain:

The Raptors have listed Brandon Ingram as questionable for Recreation 7 with irritation in his proper heel. The problem cropped up late within the common season — he missed three video games within the house of 10 days starting March twenty third with the identical problem, however performed the final six video games of the season with out concern and began the primary 5 of the playoffs earlier than leaving Recreation 5 early within the second quarter when the heel flared up.

The NBA’s harm reporting conventions go from ‘out’ to ‘uncertain’ to ‘questionable’ to ‘possible’ to ‘lively’. Ingram was initially listed as questionable for Recreation 6 earlier than being downgraded to uncertain the morning of the sport, then was dominated out a few hours earlier than the tip. It’s arduous to see Ingram going from a strolling boot to the beginning lineup in Recreation 7, however stranger issues have occurred. 

On one hand, the Raptors can take a look at the extent of defence they’ve performed to shut out video games within the latter a part of this collection and take some appreciable delight in it. Within the fourth quarter and extra time of Video games 4, 5 and 6, the Raptors have held Cleveland to simply 26.3 factors, which is properly beneath Cleveland’s league-leading 30 factors per recreation within the common season. The Raptors held Cleveland to simply 23 factors within the fourth quarter of Recreation 6 and simply eight extra factors within the five-minute extra time.

However, Toronto has wanted that stage of defence as a result of its offence has been a quagmire. Toronto scored simply 17 factors in 17 minutes and 58 seconds within the fourth quarter and extra time of Recreation 6. Solely their 11-point result in begin the fourth and Barrett’s dramatic game-winner with 1.2 seconds left within the additional interval allowed them to increase the collection.

Within the fourth quarter of the final three video games, the Raptors have an offensive ranking of simply 93.9 factors per 100 possessions. It’s been brushed over considerably as a result of the Raptors have received two of these video games, however solely the Orlando Magic have been worse offensively throughout the identical stretch, they usually set a playoff report by scoring simply 19 factors within the second half once they blew a 24-point result in Detroit in Recreation 6 of their collection. Within the common season, the Phoenix Suns had the NBA’s worst fourth-quarter offence with a ranking of 107.4 factors per 100 possessions. The Raptors had been twenty third, averaging 110.3 factors per 100. The Raptors would probably take that stage of manufacturing in Recreation 7 and dash to the second spherical.

The recipe for extra late-game success? “Make photographs,” stated Jamal Shead, who will probably get the beginning once more tonight if Ingram can’t play. “I believe we get loads of attractiveness; we simply didn’t convert a bunch. After which simply be sure that we get the ball in Scottie and RJ’s fingers and allow them to create a bit extra.”