Here’s the problem with predicting anything in this series: It’s hard to trust either team.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have LeBron James playing like a guy who deserves to be in the all-time starting five, but the team around him can’t score consistently or do much else. The Cavaliers looked disinterested during the regular season and needed Herculean efforts from James in the playoffs — including 45 points in Game 7 — to get the win against the Pacers. Their play was anything near inspiring.
While the Raptors had the best record (59 wins) and were the most consistent team in the East during the season, at moments during the first round they back into the bad habits of isolation offense and unfocused defense. They eliminated Washington, but it was enough to spark the ghosts of Raptors past and make you wonder just how far this team can go.
Toronto is the better team, they are deeper and execute better, but the Cavaliers have LeBron and matchup advantages, something I get into in this PBT Extra. One team is going to come together, play better, win this series and leave it with a lot more confidence... just which one?