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Toronto Raptors: 6 Revelations from Game 3 loss to Cavaliers

By David Morassutti

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after his game winning shot against the Toronto Raptors to win Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals 105-103 during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after his game winning shot against the Toronto Raptors to win Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals 105-103 during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 05: George Hill #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers tries to get a second half shot off past Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 105-103 to take a 3-0 series lead. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

4. Serge Ibaka steps up

if there was a player who many did not expect a strong game from, it was Ibaka. Sure there were some missed shots, but what he brought on the other end of the court was just as valuable.

He led all players with four blocks and had seven defensive rebounds at crucial points, which allowed the Raptors to get their transition offence going. He was not playing anywhere close to the mediocre level he was at in Game 2 and who knows how different this series would be, if he was better from the start.

If the Raptors want any chance of avoiding the sweep, Ibaka is going to have to bring the same defensive effort while getting some shots to fall or forcing Cleveland to foul him.

Toronto Raptors
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 05: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors tries to drive past JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

5. DeMar DeRozan in the doghouse

It appears as if DeRozan was given the Ibaka treatment, as Dwane Casey was forced to bench his star player in the fourth quarter. No doubt a tough decision to make, but one that had to be done.

The missed shots were not the only thing hurting DeRozan, but the unnecessary turnovers were backbreakers. Especially when it looked like he had a chance to finish in the paint.

DeRozan did have a nice play where he got the ball from James and finished with a slam, but that was the only notable highlight for him in this one.

At this point, the Raptors have to hope DeRozan can bounce back with their season on the line. A team can only go so far without its star player performing at the level they’re expected to.

He might not be of the same calibre as LeBron, but he’s not the type of player who only puts up eight points in 28 minutes. Maybe the Raptors have to lean on Lowry again as he was one of the best players on the court for Toronto, but there’s only so much he can do.

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