The best-of-seven series between the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers has been reduced to a best-of-three, with the home team winning each of the first four games. This trend theoretically favors the fourth-seeded Cavs as they prepare to host the fifth-seeded Raptors on Wednesday night at Rocket Arena.
1. How do the Cavs contain Scottie Barnes?
The series began with Barnes getting into early foul trouble in Game 1, when Cleveland flexed its muscles en route to a convincing win. Barnes has since emerged as the best player in the series, his defense elevating to an even higher level and his ability to step up in the biggest moments quite clear late in Sunday's Game 4 win, when he made all six of his free throws in the final 34.6 seconds.
When he is allowed to get out in transition and attack the paint with impunity, the Cavs have had no answer. Ditto when Toronto went with its high pick-and-roll sequence. Force became a theme with the Cavs following their Game 3 loss, a night when a Barnes buzzer-beater to end the third quarter set the stage for what ensued in the final quarter. Playing Barnes with force is what the Cavs must do, or at least bring an element of physicality that was lacking in the two games played in Toronto.
2. Will playoff James Harden doom the Cavs?
The simple and obvious answer is yes. James Harden is a future Hall of Famer, already anointed as one of the NBA's top-75 players in league history, but that resume meant nothing in the two games played in Toronto. Harden was not the main culprit for the two losses, considering Cleveland allowed the Raptors to record 21 offensive rebounds Sunday and yielded more paint points, second-chance points, and fast-break points.
Harden had a combined 15 turnovers in Games 3 and 4 after he had a total of nine in the opening two games. For the 44th time, Harden had more turnovers (7) than made field goals (6) in a playoff game Sunday. After going 4-for-7 from beyond the three-point arc in Game 1, Harden made seven shots from distance on 24 heaves in the next three games. All the pressure and attention will be on Harden in Game 5. For a team with championship aspirations, his play in Toronto is not a good sign.
3. Can RJ Barrett duplicate his Game 3 performance?
Considering Barrett met the moment by pouring in 33 points, a career playoff-high sparked by going 6-for-8 from distance, it is probably asking too much of him. In Sunday's brick-fest, Barrett took 22 shots and netted 18 points on a day he missed five of his six attempts from distance and three of four from the charity stripe. Mind you, he was not the only player who struggled with his shot.
This playoff series has underscored Barrett's value to the club. While some big decisions await, including Barrett's contract, the Raptors need Barrett to continue to step up. He averaged 23.0 points in the opening two games and Barrett has brought an edge to this series the Raptors desperately need as they head to Cleveland.
4. Has Brandon Ingram turned a corner?
It is hard to say given how difficult it was watching Game 4. Ingram, at least, was more aggressive and more decisive on offense. Now comes the next step: being more efficient. Turning the ball over once and hauling down six rebounds in Sunday's win, while converting eight of nine from the line, were encouraging. In the opening three games, Ingram attempted a combined six three-point attempts and then had seven in Game 4.
The Brandon Ingram from the opening two games in Cleveland, when he attempted a total of 24 field goals to score 24 points, cannot resurface Wednesday because the Raptors cannot overcome such a poor performance. When the Raptors are getting solid outings from Barnes, Ingram, and Barrett, Toronto's Big 3 can match the Cavs' Big 3 of Harden, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley. Ingram's 23 points tied Barnes for the game high, but Ingram did not record a single assist. Increased efficiency, sound decision-making, and maintaining an aggressive approach are three areas the Raptors must demand from Ingram.
5. Can the Raptors' supporting cast step up?
There is no point in not having Barnes in the role of point guard, but Ja'Kobe Walter cannot go 0-for-9 from the field, including missing all eight of his three-point attempts. His seven rebounds did help ease the shooting pain, though. Jamal Shead missed all five of his shots from distance with his only make Sunday coming inside the arc. However, his defense was critical down the stretch. On the road, any kind of offense from Walter and Shead must be summoned.
When Max Strus is not spreading the floor with his three-point prowess, the Cavs' bench is limited. Collin Murray-Boyles has emerged as the best overall bench player in this series and is coming off a double-double while playing his trademark tough defense. Jamison Battle had his moment in Game 3. Barnes played close to 42 minutes Sunday, the most he has played in a game that did not require overtime. Role players tend to perform better at home, an edge to Cleveland.
