2018 PLAYOFFS: (1) Toronto vs. (4) Cleveland

[Lamrock]

The Cavs narrowly escaped the Pacers despite a historic -40 point differential. Now they take on the Toronto Raptors for the third straight year.

This is the best Raptors team ever, and the worst Cavs team since LeBron returned. Still, I got the Cavs in 6. LeBron just has their number.

[Andrew]

Mad as it may seem, I'm going with the Raptors in 7.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Raptors in 6.

[shadowgrin]

Cavs in 6.

Raptors is one of LeBron's bitch teams, other one being the Wizards.

Raptors play a faster pace than the Pacers, would make the Cavs play more of their own game rather than be forced to grind on playing defense in slowed down halfcourt sets like they did with the Pacers.

[NovU]

I am going with Raptors in hard fought 6 until LBJ call it quits.

LeBron James has been amazing. 32.7 ppg at high efficiency, PER 33.9 is incredible, 126 ORtg is top class. But heroics cannot last long against better teams like the Raptors. I think the Raptors will score at will while LBJ finally runs out of gas.

[I Hate Mondays]

Raptors in 6, LBJ will simulate an injury when he feels like he's losing the wheel.

[Jeffx]

Mad as it may seem, I'm going with the Raptors in 7.

Not mad, just logical. I don't see the Cavs winning unless their bench can step it up consistently. So far, Clarkson, Nance Jr., & Hood are the Not Ready for Prime Time Players.

[Dee4Three]

If the series goes like games 5 and 7 vs Indiana (30 combined FT attempts to James), and the refs get involved in running the show in general, I say Cavs in 6. Many of these games will be decided by just a few points, it's those calls that can totally decide games (As well as swing momentum).

However, even though I never thought this Raptors team was that good anyway, I still think they have a better group of players than the Cavs. My prediction is Raptors in 6 or 7, as long as they can stay out of foul trouble/officiating issues in general.

Another shady happening in that game 7, Lance Stephenson played only 12 minutes (not in foul trouble, had only 2 fouls in the game). He was 3-6 from the floor including 2-4 from downtown. He didn't see any time in the second half. Anybody else want to explain why Stephenson who played 26, 23, 23, 23 and 24 minutes in the prior 5 games as the primary defender on James was held out of the second half of a game 7 while not being in foul trouble, and playing well??? It makes zero sense, none whatsoever. They had Bogdonavic and Sabonis on him more often.

The type of calls I am talking about that can help decide a game are the two technicals that were called in game 7. LeBron barely gets touched, and checks his head for blood and makes a spectacle. This is CLEARLY just a common foul. The other one on Collison is in the link below.

phpBB [video]

https://sportsnaut.com/2018/04/watch-refs-give-darren-collison-bogus-t-in-game-7/


Also, flops like this (Which are clearly flops) are called fouls on the opposing teams. LeBron does these a few times a game, which accelerates them being in the bonus.

phpBB [video]

This is relevant on this thread, because If these things happen in the Cavs vs Raptors series, the Cavs will win (As stated prior). By the way, this isn't me completely taking a shot at James specifically, this is taking a shot at the business side of basketball. The shot I am taking at James is the flopping all over the floor, and acting like a Diva (Really... checking your head for blood on that one huh?). The NBA stands to lose millions if LeBron (The most marketed, popular player on the planets) doesn't make it onto the next round. And when I say "popular", I don't mean "Most liked" technically. But he is absolutely the most talked about, watched, marketed, and pushed onto everything and most everyone.

[Andrew]

Mad as it may seem, I'm going with the Raptors in 7.

Not mad, just logical. I don't see the Cavs winning unless their bench can step it up consistently. So far, Clarkson, Nance Jr., & Hood are the Not Ready for Prime Time Players.

True, but I still feel like the Raptors are a bit of a shaky pick because of the way they can self-destruct. It's tough to pick against LeBron too, in large part because of the impact he has on games through his talents, but also the questionable officiating that Dee has outlined.

[JaoSming]

Cavs in 6, LBJ until proven otherwise (except vs the Celtics)

[air gordon]

if the much maligned kevin love stays healthy, cavs win but if serge or some other semi mobile big can neutralize him, raptors win

[NovU]

Raptors choke hard. Cavs choked little less. LoLz

LBJ with another triple double.

[Andrew]

Raptors blow Game 1. That's why I feel my "Raptors in 7" pick is kind of out there; they let opportunities slip through their fingers in the Playoffs. I'm not going to say there's absolutely no chance after just one game, but I do think the Raptors need to draw first blood.

[I Hate Mondays]

As a Raptors fan, I feel heartbroken.

[volsey]

Absolute heartbreaker. I was screaming at Jonas. That guy must of had 10+ shots right near the basket towards the end of regulation and OT.

[Lamrock]

What a choke job by the Raps. We'll see if giving away a winnable game to LeBron discourages them, of if they recognize that they have a better roster and persevere. Either way, they'd better get JV in some layup drills. Holy shit.

[NovU]

On the positive note, the Raptors were a better team mostly for the night and this kind of melt down shouldn't happen too often.

It'll always be always tough to beat the Cavaliers in 7 game series as long as LBJ plays like a Best Player of the Series. If you looked at teams that gave him a beat down in the playoff series, there was usually a key opponent player that outproduced him or team effort that held him down. Unfortunately for the Raptors, there isn't a player that can outplay LeGoat in this series. This is why it's so tough to doubt LBJ in this series against the Raptors. But unlike before I believe significantly weakened LBJ's teammates will play a role in Cavs demise. Game 2, Raps, Game 3, Raps. Let's go.

[air gordon]

On the positive note, the Raptors were a better team mostly for the night and this kind of melt down shouldn't happen too often.

true but given toronto's history of problems scoring in crunchtime you have to think they need a blowout to win. thought Casey had the right the idea of getting korver or whoever instead of lbj on the switch to lowry/derozan though

It'll always be always tough to beat the Cavaliers in 7 game series as long as LBJ plays like a Best Player of the Series. If you looked at teams that gave him a beat down in the playoff series, there was usually a key opponent player that outproduced him or team effort that held him down. Unfortunately for the Raptors, there isn't a player that can outplay LeGoat in this series. This is why it's so tough to doubt LBJ in this series against the Raptors. But unlike before I believe significantly weakened LBJ's teammates will play a role in Cavs demise. Game 2, Raps, Game 3, Raps. Let's go.

it was really an unlikely win for the Cavs. their bench was actually good and lbj didn't have to put up superhero stats (lol i guess triple doubles are pedestrian numbers?).

[Andrew]

Raptors look finished. Great regular season team, mediocre Playoff team.

[NovU]

Raptors is one of LeBron's bitch teams, other one being the Wizards.

lol this is turning out to be too true. Almost sad though.

LeKing posts 43pts, 8reb, 14ast on just 1 turnover. Even more crazy, Love explodes for 31 pts 11 reb.

Raptors are done. The Cavs fooled us, they're well and alive. Phi vs Cle will be one hell of a series.

[Dee4Three]

Raptors is one of LeBron's bitch teams, other one being the Wizards.

lol this is turning out to be too true. Almost sad though.

LeKing posts 43pts, 8reb, 14ast on just 1 turnover. Even more crazy, Love explodes for 31 pts 11 reb.

Raptors are done. The Cavs fooled us, they're well and alive. Phi vs Cle will be one hell of a series.

Well, they have to beat the Celtics first .

Celtics up 2-0, and I don't see the C's losing at home.

[I Hate Mondays]

Yuuuppp it's over. LeKing had it under control all along.

[SoF'nAwesome]

pls stop the LeWord posts, we should be better then reddit

LeBronto is the only one that should be allowed

[air gordon]

maybe if this site starts streaming for free you claim that stake

[SoF'nAwesome]

LeBron James. Enough said.

maybe if this site starts streaming for free you claim that stake

i meant as a community wise