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INDEPENDENCE — The Toronto Raptors beat the Cavaliers three times in a regular season, a storyline that will surely follow their first-round playoff series. But the Cavs are sort of just shrugging at that angle of the matchup.
Yes, the Raptors swept the Cavs during the regular season to set up an interesting element to the No. 4 vs No. 5 series matchup. But the Cavs would point out all three loses came within a 25-day stretch in late October and November, so they're leaving 2025 in 2025.
The Cavs were beaten by the Raptors Oct. 31, Nov. 13 and No. 24, with the first two games being in Cleveland. All three games appeared in quick succession on the schedule.
In addition to those games being played more than four months ago, the Cavs also underwent a roster reshuffling at the trade deadline, adding James Harden to the starting lineup and Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to the rotation.
The slate is always wiped clean when a playoff series begins. The Cavs are also erasing the regular-season angle. It's a similar reason as to why coach Kenny Atkinson is separating the Cavs of last year and the Cavs of today.
"We're a different team," Atkinson said at the team's practice facility as they prepare for Game 1 on April 18. "It starts with personnel. It's not the same team as last year.
"So thinking about our three games against Toronto, it's hard to even judge those games. And Toronto played great and they beat us and all that, but we're a different team. I've said this, I say it over and over, we're a better team with those additions. So you'd like to think that bodes well for a nice playoff."
The Cavs are entering a crucial playoffs. They haven't gotten past the second round since LeBron James became a Los Angeles Laker. Donovan Mitchell has never been past the second round. An NBA title is just about the only benchmark not on Harden's career resume. The Cavs have had a wealth of regular-season success, but reaching the conference finals has eluded them.
But for Atkinson, there's no rah-rah speech that will get them over the top. There's no magical speech he believes will unlock something in them. That work began in June and July.
"I don't know, there's no special message," Atkinson said when asked about his message to the team leading into the playoffs. "There's no Knute Rockne kind of speech at this point. Just prepare the best we can. We've done our work since June, right? Trust your work. We've been at it for a long time."
And, strangely, the playoffs actually offer many teams more opportunities for full practices compared to the regular season, which is often more about load management and travel. The playoffs reset the schedule and almost slow things down, and teams try to take advantage of the extra time.
"We actually had a real practice today — like, real," Atkinson said, smiling. "One of the assistants came up to me and was like, 'Man, that was different.' I'm like, 'Yeah, it was a real practice.' Sneakers squeaking, competition, scrimmaging. So that was nice."
The Cavs put the team through "hell" over the summer in conditioning work after a second-round exit against the Indiana Pacers. That has continued into this week as the Cavs want to be able to win a track meet if needed.
"We've done a lot of things in the offseason, obviously, and in-season to be ready for the playoff intensity, physicality," Atkinson said. "That's going to be a big part of the series. Yesterday I wanted to do that for team building, too. … We have to suffer a little and laugh and [have] music and all that. So that was pretty cool."
The Cavs also might be as healthy right now as they've been the entire season. Only Thomas Bryant is expected to be questionable for Game 1, though several players have recently dealt with ailments, including center Jarrett Allen (knee).
Bryant (calf) was a participant at practice April 15 and was seen working and running on the court.
Ryan Lewis covers the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How Cavs view their 3 losses to Raptors this season entering playoffs
Continue reading...
Yes, the Raptors swept the Cavs during the regular season to set up an interesting element to the No. 4 vs No. 5 series matchup. But the Cavs would point out all three loses came within a 25-day stretch in late October and November, so they're leaving 2025 in 2025.
The Cavs were beaten by the Raptors Oct. 31, Nov. 13 and No. 24, with the first two games being in Cleveland. All three games appeared in quick succession on the schedule.
In addition to those games being played more than four months ago, the Cavs also underwent a roster reshuffling at the trade deadline, adding James Harden to the starting lineup and Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to the rotation.
The slate is always wiped clean when a playoff series begins. The Cavs are also erasing the regular-season angle. It's a similar reason as to why coach Kenny Atkinson is separating the Cavs of last year and the Cavs of today.
"We're a different team," Atkinson said at the team's practice facility as they prepare for Game 1 on April 18. "It starts with personnel. It's not the same team as last year.
"So thinking about our three games against Toronto, it's hard to even judge those games. And Toronto played great and they beat us and all that, but we're a different team. I've said this, I say it over and over, we're a better team with those additions. So you'd like to think that bodes well for a nice playoff."
Cavs vs Raptors preview
The Cavs are entering a crucial playoffs. They haven't gotten past the second round since LeBron James became a Los Angeles Laker. Donovan Mitchell has never been past the second round. An NBA title is just about the only benchmark not on Harden's career resume. The Cavs have had a wealth of regular-season success, but reaching the conference finals has eluded them.
But for Atkinson, there's no rah-rah speech that will get them over the top. There's no magical speech he believes will unlock something in them. That work began in June and July.
"I don't know, there's no special message," Atkinson said when asked about his message to the team leading into the playoffs. "There's no Knute Rockne kind of speech at this point. Just prepare the best we can. We've done our work since June, right? Trust your work. We've been at it for a long time."
And, strangely, the playoffs actually offer many teams more opportunities for full practices compared to the regular season, which is often more about load management and travel. The playoffs reset the schedule and almost slow things down, and teams try to take advantage of the extra time.
"We actually had a real practice today — like, real," Atkinson said, smiling. "One of the assistants came up to me and was like, 'Man, that was different.' I'm like, 'Yeah, it was a real practice.' Sneakers squeaking, competition, scrimmaging. So that was nice."
The Cavs put the team through "hell" over the summer in conditioning work after a second-round exit against the Indiana Pacers. That has continued into this week as the Cavs want to be able to win a track meet if needed.
"We've done a lot of things in the offseason, obviously, and in-season to be ready for the playoff intensity, physicality," Atkinson said. "That's going to be a big part of the series. Yesterday I wanted to do that for team building, too. … We have to suffer a little and laugh and [have] music and all that. So that was pretty cool."
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Cavs injury report vs Raptors
The Cavs also might be as healthy right now as they've been the entire season. Only Thomas Bryant is expected to be questionable for Game 1, though several players have recently dealt with ailments, including center Jarrett Allen (knee).
Bryant (calf) was a participant at practice April 15 and was seen working and running on the court.
Ryan Lewis covers the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How Cavs view their 3 losses to Raptors this season entering playoffs
Continue reading...
