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Pretty interesting preview... It seems like they hit on a lot of right spots.
http://www.nba.com/2016/news/feature...f:nba:specials
The Raptors will win if ...
This series begins and ends with Lowry and DeRozan. Not only have they emerged as the East's best backcourt while combining for 47.7 points and 10.4 assists, but they've become All-Stars by learning from one another -- DeRozan has grown more fiery, Lowry less volatile -- which has encouraged teammates to feed off their leadership. The Raptors hold a clear advantage here, as the Pacers have neither a traditional point guard nor a go-to shooting guard. If Lowry and DeRozan are attacking from the start, they should be able to turn Toronto's playoff anxiety into positive energy.
A crucial variable is small forward DeMarre Carroll, who played three games at the end of the season -- culminating in a 21-minute performance (eight points, six rebounds) against the 76ers Tuesday -- after being sidelined for three months by right knee surgery. The Raptors signed Carroll to a four-year, $60 million contract last summer to toughen their defense, and he may be returning just in time to help limit George.
But Carroll's return also raises questions: Will the Raptors be able to rely on him as he deals with persistent knee swelling? Will he find his niche in an offense that ranked No. 5 in efficiency? The Raptors enjoyed excellent results against George (see below) even though Carroll missed three of the four games against Indiana, so consider a return to prominence by Carroll to be a bonus more than a necessity.
Toronto will also be looking for a strong series from 7-foot center Jonas Valanciunas, who averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in two wins against Indiana. The Raptors will need scoring from their most productive big man in order to punish the Pacers for focusing on the perimeter, which is Indiana's strength defensively.
This series begins and ends with Lowry and DeRozan. Not only have they emerged as the East's best backcourt while combining for 47.7 points and 10.4 assists, but they've become All-Stars by learning from one another -- DeRozan has grown more fiery, Lowry less volatile -- which has encouraged teammates to feed off their leadership. The Raptors hold a clear advantage here, as the Pacers have neither a traditional point guard nor a go-to shooting guard. If Lowry and DeRozan are attacking from the start, they should be able to turn Toronto's playoff anxiety into positive energy.
A crucial variable is small forward DeMarre Carroll, who played three games at the end of the season -- culminating in a 21-minute performance (eight points, six rebounds) against the 76ers Tuesday -- after being sidelined for three months by right knee surgery. The Raptors signed Carroll to a four-year, $60 million contract last summer to toughen their defense, and he may be returning just in time to help limit George.
But Carroll's return also raises questions: Will the Raptors be able to rely on him as he deals with persistent knee swelling? Will he find his niche in an offense that ranked No. 5 in efficiency? The Raptors enjoyed excellent results against George (see below) even though Carroll missed three of the four games against Indiana, so consider a return to prominence by Carroll to be a bonus more than a necessity.
Toronto will also be looking for a strong series from 7-foot center Jonas Valanciunas, who averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in two wins against Indiana. The Raptors will need scoring from their most productive big man in order to punish the Pacers for focusing on the perimeter, which is Indiana's strength defensively.
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