A different Toronto Raptors team faces the Cleveland Cavaliers, who ousted them in 6 games last year. We’re seeing them earlier than in 2016, because the Cavs didn’t end up with the top seed. That honour went to the Boston Celtics.
Bismack Biyombo was a Raptor then, performing the role the less charismatic Serge Ibaka will this go-round. Serge may not be the rebounding monster Big Biz was, but he’s a peer as a shot-blocker, and incomparably stronger on the offensive end. The idea of Biz taking a 3-pointer brings a shudder to the spines of Raptors fans everywhere, but we’re quite comfortable when Serge lets fly.