2017 Conf. Semis: (2) Cleveland vs. (3) Toronto

In a rematch of last year's conference finals, the Raptors take another shot at the Cavs. On paper, this should be a closer series, where the Raptors took Cleveland to 6 games despite being blown out in all their losses.. You can't say enough about the additions of Ibaka and Tucker, and Norman Powell is finally getting minutes.

However, I think the Cavs are still a much better team. Throw in a little gambler's fallacy with Kyrie rebounding from his awful series against the Pacers, and you get Cleveland in 5 games, albeit with a much closer point differential.

I'm inclined to take the Cavs in 5 as well.

Raptors in 6.

Atleast that's what I'm hoping.

But I'm also giving the Raptors a vote because I don't think anyone else will. Hopefully the extra pieces make a difference and they give themselves a fighting chance in this series.

Same as before, Cavs in 6

Lebum in 6.

Even though this will probably be very close series I don't really like what I've been seeing from the Raptors recently, on paper you would expect them to do well but I have my doubts. I may be undermining them a little bit.

Cavaliers in 5

The purple dinosaurs in six. They are my Eastern Conference team since the first time reaching the playoffs after many years or so, despite being inconsistent and that's not going to change even when facing Lebron this year.

If they lose then fuck the East

Let's go Raptooooors. Favourite team since '14. Cavs in 6 though

Looks like the Cavs are taking Game 1 comfortably.

I want to see the Raptors show the toughness that was present immediately after the acquisition of PJ Tucker. They were playing physically, and with confidence.

I feel like they can steal home court tonight if they play physical basketball for 48 minutes.

Raptors don't seem that keen to make this a series.

Also, LeBron passes Kobe for most 30 point games in the Playoffs, now trailing MJ by 20 in that regard. Despite the fact this number was highlighted, LeBron fans on Twitter are saying he'll pass MJ either in the next game, or by the end of the next round...apparently, one game counts for 20 when it's LeBron.

...so why is this such a bad matchup for the Raptors? Every game in Cleveland is a given 20-point loss, dating back to last year's series, whereas the Pistons (last year) and the Pacers where competitive home and away.

Raptors were in it for about three quarters, and then, another blowout.

It was nice of Kyrie to put the Raptors out of their misery in the end.

Really thought the Raptors could get a game. It's amazing at what LeBron is doing right now, even at this stage of his career and I'm glad I can say that I got to watch it.

Lowry's injuries didn't help matters, I suppose.

Might as well make the Cavs/Warriors series thread now.

Might as well make the Cavs/Warriors series thread now.

Joy.

Addition of Ibaka did pretty much nada. :salty:

Addition of Ibaka did pretty much nada. :salty:

I thought him and PJ Tucker would've made a difference.

Well damn

Addition of Ibaka did pretty much nada. :salty:

I thought him and PJ Tucker would've made a difference.

Too bad Casey waited until game 4 to start tucker. Smh

And why not run some pick and roll with Ibaka whenever love was guarding him. Some crap offensive sets Casey likes to run. :salty:

Too bad Casey waited until game 4 to start tucker. Smh

And why not run some pick and roll with Ibaka whenever love was guarding him. Some crap offensive sets Casey likes to run. :salty:

That would probably just turn into pick and pop plays, he fell in love with jump shots already.