Toronto Raptors: 4 reasons they can still win the Cavaliers series

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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers battles with DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half in 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) /

1) DeMar DeRozan needs to show he’s the man

It wasn’t meant to be like this for DeMar DeRozan; not this season, not now, at this stage of the playoffs. But there he was in the fourth quarter of Game 4, sitting on the bench.

However, coach Dwane Casey had little choice. DeRozan had his poorest game of the season at the worst possible time.

The four-time NBA All-Star had an awful night shooting the rock and finished with just eight points. He suffered turnovers at inopportune times and failed to set his teammates up, after a regular season where he had taken his assist awareness to a new level.

DeRozan’s Game 4 display went against the new narrative he had been creating for himself, as someone who was finally proving he could perform when the stakes were raised. In the previous round against the Washington Wizards, he had set a new person high for scoring average in a playoff series.

Unfortunately, after looking at least decent in the first two games against the Cavaliers, the 28-year-old reverted to the form critics expect from him in the postseason. As such, now it’s up to him to get his narrative back on track.

Can DeRozan do it? Of course he can, especially after the most efficient and mature season of his nine-year career.

The 2009 ninth overall draft pick has all the necessary elements to get back in form: skill, pride, work ethic. However, it’s going to be his mental fortitude that will provide the key to whether he will actually turn it on, at a time when the Raptors need him more than ever.

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