Live Thread: Cavs @ Raptors

The question with the Cavs/Raptors seems to be not about the Cavs, but what the Raptors can do to stop their onslaught. But any true Cavs fan knows that the Cavs’ looked even better than this in their first two games against the Raps at last year at the Q before dropping a couple in Toronto.  This Cavs’ squad has a few more things going for it.

One, they’ve managed to avoid the bench dropoff they tended to suffer when LeBron went to the bench. Kyrie and Co. have been holding their own the last couple games. Deron Williams has helped greatly in that regard as well, and between he and Frye and Korver, the Cavs are getting a lot more shooting shooting off the bench.

Two, the Cavs defense has been stifling DeMar DeRozan and forcing everyone else to beat them. Despite solid showings from Jonas Valanciunas, the Raptors’ seem to be incapable of scoring when the Cavs lock down.

Three, LeBron James has been otherworldly. Last year, he was struggling mightily with his shot. Despite the wins, he went 2-8 in his first two games. This year? 6-11. He’s also shooting 76% from the line. I could spend two hours talking about how good LeBron is right now. This year, it hardly seems like he takes a play off. Gone are the wasted possessions that have plagued the Cavs offense. This year, those seem like Kyrie’s signature (though they’re more good than bad, usually).

They just seem like they’re clicking more than last year. Hopefully they keep it rolling. Anyway, I’ve vamped enough. Prediction: 112-108, Cavs.