The 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs is in full effect, but a lot of fans, critics, players and analysts are already looking ahead to the Conference Finals. For the Toronto Raptors it’s always been like that, constantly over-looked, constantly the under dogs, even this year, despite finishing 2nd in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are playing a more experienced and resilient Miami Heat team, that despite not being the favorites on paper, are surely the favorites in fan’s minds. Not only are they the favorites in the fan’s mind, but even LeBron James has the Miami Heat in the back of his mind as he plays the Atlanta Hawks in the 2nd round.
James was asked yesterday about the potential of playing his old team and his best friend Dwyane Wade in the East Finals, and mentioned that it’s something he’s always thought of. James isn’t the only one. Most critics and analysts are counting the Raptors out after their game 1 overtime loss 102-96 to the Heat. Raptors Head Coach Dwane Casey knows the importance of keeping his team motivated and ready for Game 2 on Thursday. Casey spoke with the media on Wednesday, and said that although it’s fine, the Raptors have always been counted out. According to Lori Ewing of CBS Sports, Casey spoke on what James said:
“I saw that. Like I’ve said, nobody respects us, everybody has written us off, and that’s fine,” Casey said. “The people in this building right now, and in that locker room over there, are the most important people to believe that. Hopefully our guys take that heart, and take offence to it. They’re the ones who can do something about it.”
Despite their most successful season in franchise history, with a franchise record 56 wins, the Raptors have not been able to turn regular season success into post season triumph. Over the past 2 playoffs, they’ve lost both times to the lower seeded teams, losing in 7 to Brooklyn (2014), and getting swept last year by Washington. This year in the 1st round the beat the 7th seed Indiana Pacers in 7 games, which to some people was disappointing. They struggled throughout the series and barely made it out of the 1st round. That was partially because of the lackadaisical play by their all-stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. Now that the Raptors have gotten the 1st round curse off their back, Kyle Lowry is hoping the Raptors can use that pressure to beat the Heat:
“I’m sure we are looked at as the underdog, but we are the No. 2 seed,” Kyle Lowry said. “We still have the confidence to win four games. But everybody has their own opinion, everyone has their own thoughts. Let ESPN talk about it. That’s what they do, they have their opinions. We have our opinions, you guys have y’all opinions, it’s opinions. They still have to beat us three more times.”
Lowry has not been impressive in the Playoffs, shooting just 35% from the field, which is the worst of any player over the past 50 years in the Playoffs who has taken over 100 shots. If the Raptors want to have any chance at beating this experienced Heat team, they’ll have to be at their absolute best, and it starts with star point-guard Lowry. With game 2 in Toronto on Thursday, we should look for what kind of energy the Raptors come out of the gates with, because as much as they don’t want to say it, Game 2 is a MUST win.
