It has been a total destruction by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first three games of the series, as they have a comfortable 3-0 lead on the Toronto Raptors, looking for a sweep Sunday afternoon. LeBron James has proven to be too much to handle for the Raptors, who thought they had enough defensive pieces this year to compete against Cleveland. From DeMar DeRozan’s road struggles to Kyle Lowry’s injury, the Raptors have had an awful series, and their season could soon be over.
No Kyle Lowry, no chance
For the second consecutive game, Kyle Lowry will be sidelined with an ankle sprain.
He reportedly made the ankle worse when he was trying to prepare himself for Game 3 and is now considered doubtful for Game 4. If Lowry is going to sit out, the Raptors have little to no chance of beating the Cavaliers, who have seized all the momentum in the series. Lowry’s defense is essential, but it’s his offense that is greatly missed in his absence. Cory Joseph will continue to receive the start at point, while Delon Wright becomes the primary backup.
LeBron James has been unstoppable and won’t allow his team to lose
LeBron James has overwhelmed the Raptors with his excellent play, averaging 36.3 points, eight rebounds, five assists, 1.7 steals, and one block per game on 60.4 percent shooting from the field and 53.3 percent from three-point land.
The Raptors haven’t had an answer for him. No matter who they’ve put on him, James has scored proficiently.
James is not going to allow this series to extend. He is going to be determined and focused to put Toronto away right from the start. If the Cavaliers are able to close out the series, they will be rewarded with another lengthy rest before the next round.
James will be craving that rest period, so he will do anything in his power to end this series.
DeMar DeRozan will need help
After two quiet games, DeMar DeRozan woke up in Game 3, scoring 37 points on 52 percent shooting. He essentially carried the team, but his efforts weren’t enough because he didn’t have much help. Toronto’s bench was ineffective, and the other players were inefficient, with the exception of Jonas Valanciunas, who had 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
If the Raptors want to keep their season alive, DeRozan is going to need plenty of help from his supporting cast especially since Lowry is out.
The Raptors have their backs against the wall, but they probably won’t go down without one last fight. The crowd will be right behind them, feeding them energy. They have nothing to lose, so expect an all-out effort from everyone. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 pm Eastern Time on ABC.
