The Toronto Raptors advanced past the Miami Heat to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Though these have been the top two teams in the East all season, the Cavs come into this series as the heavy favorite. Here's everything to expect in this series:
Series Schedule
Game 1
When: Tuesday, May 17
Where: Cleveland, OH
Tip: 8:30 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Game 2
When: Thursday, May 19
Where: Cleveland, OH
Tip: 8:30 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Game 3
When: Saturday, May 21
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tip: 8:30 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Game 4
When: Monday, May 23
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tip: 8:30 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Game 5 (if necessary)
When: Wednesday, May 25
Where: Cleveland, OH
Tip: 8:30 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Game 6 (if necessary)
When: Friday, May 27
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tip: 8:30 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Game 7 (if necessary)
When: Sunday, May 29
Where: Cleveland, OH
Tip: 8:30 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Matchup Breakdown
Starting lineups
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are as good as any backcourt in the league outside of the Warriors, and they've combined to score at least 50 points for the past three games. However, three is more than two, and Cleveland's Big 3 should easily outplay them. Plus, J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson are better than Toronto's others of DeMarre Carroll, Patrick Patterson and Jonas Valanciunas.
Advantage: Cavs
Bench
Cory Joseph has been as good of a sixth man as you can ask for with the Raptors, and both Terrence Ross and Bismack Biyombo have been starters at various times throughout their careers. Cleveland also has one of the bench units in the league, led by star defenders Matthew Dellavedova and Iman Shumpert to go along with veterans Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye.
Cleveland gets the edge because of the way their unit has been performing as a whole, playing a major role in their record-breaking three-point shooting in the playoffs thus far.
Advantage: Cavs
Coaching
Tyronn Lue hasn't had the job for a full season, but he has this team clicking on all cylinders and playing better than almost everyone in the league. Dwane Casey as done a great job building the Raptors, but there are still major questions about his ability to draw up offensive plays down the stretch.
Advantage: Cavs
Prediction
Cleveland is clearly the better team on paper. However, the Raptors are playing much better of late and finally look like the contender we thought they would be. Unfortunately for them, I think that only means they avoid the sweep. The Cavs are simply playing on another level right now. Cavs in 5.
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