Going big on Toronto here. Cleveland is a one man show, while Toronto has the deepest team in the league and homecourt advantage. Finally Toronto faces Cleveland and actually has the better team. They won’t let this moment slip away. The same people who expected okc to advance will expect Cleveland to advance here as well, but Toronto has a different story in mind.
Game 1 is a statement game for them, as they’ve been waiting for this moment all season. These will be my two biggest plays remaining of the playoffs but Cleveland will get run out of the building in this series.
Raptors -200 Series ($6,000 to win $3,000)
Raptors -6 Game 1 ($1,500)
Raptors -1 / Jazz +16 ($500)
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To remove first post, remove entire topic.
Going big on Toronto here. Cleveland is a one man show, while Toronto has the deepest team in the league and homecourt advantage. Finally Toronto faces Cleveland and actually has the better team. They won’t let this moment slip away. The same people who expected okc to advance will expect Cleveland to advance here as well, but Toronto has a different story in mind.
Game 1 is a statement game for them, as they’ve been waiting for this moment all season. These will be my two biggest plays remaining of the playoffs but Cleveland will get run out of the building in this series.
gosh I hate playoff raptors. Historically, they beat teams they should and split against good teams - riding this to strong regular seasons. Then fall hard with the heightened intensity of long playoff series. why? hmm.. their game is mercurial, they wilt under the shiny lights, when taken off their game they have looked like portland last series - their 2 star guards hoisting and missing... oh craptors
This year they have shown more and that really crystallized in my mind during the Wiz Series.. This isnt yesterdays craptors team.. They are deeper, defensive intensity, a less predictable more dynamic O system, and perhaps most importantly, they have an inside/outside game that is such an important release valve in the playoffs.
I have reservations about the quality of the Wiz series win. What Wiz team was that. A (sans Wall) end of lottery team, still adjusting to Wall coming back... Or the team which at their best, looks like a Raptors junior when Raptors are at their best....
curios what the series bets $ looks like. At +170, I have to believe, the books are drawing in the public and the Cavs are drawing majority of the $$$
I will say that these are precisely the types of plays where LC has thrived (and built his stellar rep) over the years... Conviction in the face of public perception
I'm in
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gosh I hate playoff raptors. Historically, they beat teams they should and split against good teams - riding this to strong regular seasons. Then fall hard with the heightened intensity of long playoff series. why? hmm.. their game is mercurial, they wilt under the shiny lights, when taken off their game they have looked like portland last series - their 2 star guards hoisting and missing... oh craptors
This year they have shown more and that really crystallized in my mind during the Wiz Series.. This isnt yesterdays craptors team.. They are deeper, defensive intensity, a less predictable more dynamic O system, and perhaps most importantly, they have an inside/outside game that is such an important release valve in the playoffs.
I have reservations about the quality of the Wiz series win. What Wiz team was that. A (sans Wall) end of lottery team, still adjusting to Wall coming back... Or the team which at their best, looks like a Raptors junior when Raptors are at their best....
curios what the series bets $ looks like. At +170, I have to believe, the books are drawing in the public and the Cavs are drawing majority of the $$$
I will say that these are precisely the types of plays where LC has thrived (and built his stellar rep) over the years... Conviction in the face of public perception
You guys are funny assuming that Toronto automatically wins this series. Toronto is the better team and Cleveland’s role players have been awful but lebron has been playing out of his mind. Toronto being over a 2 to 1 favorite seemed pretty high to me and if the raps do win it certainly won’t be easy.
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You guys are funny assuming that Toronto automatically wins this series. Toronto is the better team and Cleveland’s role players have been awful but lebron has been playing out of his mind. Toronto being over a 2 to 1 favorite seemed pretty high to me and if the raps do win it certainly won’t be easy.
You guys are funny assuming that Toronto automatically wins this series. Toronto is the better team and Cleveland’s role players have been awful but lebron has been playing out of his mind. Toronto being over a 2 to 1 favorite seemed pretty high to me and if the raps do win it certainly won’t be easy.
You are funny because they arent over a 2 to 1 favorite. they are currently -185....
also, Lebron is playing out of his mind. but he basically is going to have 1 day of full rest before playing tomorrow. This is after a 7 game series... you don't think that is going to matter? we will see..also, LC said nothing about it being easy. Raptors 4-2
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Quote Originally Posted by forty9ersfan80:
You guys are funny assuming that Toronto automatically wins this series. Toronto is the better team and Cleveland’s role players have been awful but lebron has been playing out of his mind. Toronto being over a 2 to 1 favorite seemed pretty high to me and if the raps do win it certainly won’t be easy.
You are funny because they arent over a 2 to 1 favorite. they are currently -185....
also, Lebron is playing out of his mind. but he basically is going to have 1 day of full rest before playing tomorrow. This is after a 7 game series... you don't think that is going to matter? we will see..also, LC said nothing about it being easy. Raptors 4-2
This isnt yesterdays craptors team.. They are deeper, defensive intensity, a less predictable more dynamic O system, and perhaps most importantly, they have an inside/outside game that is such an important release valve in the playoffs.
All true Titus. But the bottom line is, so you trust Demar and Kyle to win you a Game 7. Because you know Lebron won’t go quietly.
I can’t put my money on two players who have consistently wilted in the playoff spotlight.
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This isnt yesterdays craptors team.. They are deeper, defensive intensity, a less predictable more dynamic O system, and perhaps most importantly, they have an inside/outside game that is such an important release valve in the playoffs.
All true Titus. But the bottom line is, so you trust Demar and Kyle to win you a Game 7. Because you know Lebron won’t go quietly.
I can’t put my money on two players who have consistently wilted in the playoff spotlight.
Let’s focus on the role players of the Cavs. This series is mainly about them. Lebron basically just won a series without love, Thompson or any other consistent contributor. So here is where I’m at: Kevin love has to show up this series. He’s so due it’s crazy. If he comes close to 20-22 points a game and can grab double digit boards that will help. That’s Kevin Love to a T. If he can hit the 3 as well that helps. Throw in Tristan Thompson who is their best screener and gives the Cavs extra possessions, he COULD neutralize Val or Ibaka. The issue I see here is that the raptors can play half court, they can beat you in transition and they have MULTIPLE guys who can create their own shot. Indy didn’t have this. When you take a team with more depth, a team who can defend and a team that has been owned by the Cavs over the years, if Toronto isn’t locked in now, they’ll never be. People need to stop talking about the Toronto teams in recent years. This team is different and they pay attention to detail on both ends of the court. People want to talk about a wounded Boston team and a very young team in Philly who essentially played a JV team in the first round as the true contenders. IF Toronto comes out of this series, they will have all the confidence they need to beat the other teams in the East and advance. This is a great test for them here and even though lebron is on the other side, I’d be very surprised if the Raptors don’t care of business here. If I’m Toronto, the main priority is being up 2-0 going to Cleveland. If it’s tied at 1, this series will go 7. The Raptors do not want that so even though 6 may be a lot to cover in game 1, they have to treat it as a must win. This is Toronto’s series to lose as this past round, it was Cleveland’s series to lose against the Pacers.
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Let’s focus on the role players of the Cavs. This series is mainly about them. Lebron basically just won a series without love, Thompson or any other consistent contributor. So here is where I’m at: Kevin love has to show up this series. He’s so due it’s crazy. If he comes close to 20-22 points a game and can grab double digit boards that will help. That’s Kevin Love to a T. If he can hit the 3 as well that helps. Throw in Tristan Thompson who is their best screener and gives the Cavs extra possessions, he COULD neutralize Val or Ibaka. The issue I see here is that the raptors can play half court, they can beat you in transition and they have MULTIPLE guys who can create their own shot. Indy didn’t have this. When you take a team with more depth, a team who can defend and a team that has been owned by the Cavs over the years, if Toronto isn’t locked in now, they’ll never be. People need to stop talking about the Toronto teams in recent years. This team is different and they pay attention to detail on both ends of the court. People want to talk about a wounded Boston team and a very young team in Philly who essentially played a JV team in the first round as the true contenders. IF Toronto comes out of this series, they will have all the confidence they need to beat the other teams in the East and advance. This is a great test for them here and even though lebron is on the other side, I’d be very surprised if the Raptors don’t care of business here. If I’m Toronto, the main priority is being up 2-0 going to Cleveland. If it’s tied at 1, this series will go 7. The Raptors do not want that so even though 6 may be a lot to cover in game 1, they have to treat it as a must win. This is Toronto’s series to lose as this past round, it was Cleveland’s series to lose against the Pacers.
Although getting this series price at -200 wouldn't be most sharps recommendation (the correct option was always to take the Raps to win the east a while ago when it was around 6 or 8-1...i have them in pocket at 6-1 along with 76ers at 33-1), i do see the Raps winning this series.
Sure they didn't look all that impressive beating the Wiz, but that series victory came as an excorcism of some sort - the Wiz abolutely crushed them the last time they faced each other in the playoffs, sweeping them in embarassing fashion...sure the core of the Raps of today wasn't the same back then, but you do have Lowry and DeRozan who were on that team, and that's enough to move to today and say that them beating Wiz here in 6 is absolutely huge for Toronto's confidence, and the way they won in game 6 says alot about their grit and ability to win a close out game on the road...only elite teams have that inner fortitude to clinch a series on their opponents home court....and let's not forget the impact Vanvleet plays on this team...he was not active at the start, and worked his way back into the lineup near the end of the series, and now he will quarterback arguably the leagues best 2nd unit starting this new series against the Cavs...this series will be all about matchups, depth, and confidence on home court...it looks like 12 vs 1, and Lebron will not be able to play 40+ minutes against this team and be nearly as productive and have enough stamina to do his magic in the 4th Q...i can go on and on as to why the Raps should win this series, but i will just let it all play out for now...this is not the same old Raps and whoever really thinks they are simply haven't been paying attention to the 82 games they have been preparing themselves for this exact moment - to take on and beat Lebron James.
All the haters in the world will have no choice but to pay their respect to the Raps if/when they beat Lebron and snap his utter dominance of the Eastern conference...it will be a bitter pill for most pro-american/anti-canadian media personalities when history will show that Toronto of all teams was able to finally beat a Lebron led team.
good luck with you series bet on this one LC
MAGAm Yisrael Chai
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Although getting this series price at -200 wouldn't be most sharps recommendation (the correct option was always to take the Raps to win the east a while ago when it was around 6 or 8-1...i have them in pocket at 6-1 along with 76ers at 33-1), i do see the Raps winning this series.
Sure they didn't look all that impressive beating the Wiz, but that series victory came as an excorcism of some sort - the Wiz abolutely crushed them the last time they faced each other in the playoffs, sweeping them in embarassing fashion...sure the core of the Raps of today wasn't the same back then, but you do have Lowry and DeRozan who were on that team, and that's enough to move to today and say that them beating Wiz here in 6 is absolutely huge for Toronto's confidence, and the way they won in game 6 says alot about their grit and ability to win a close out game on the road...only elite teams have that inner fortitude to clinch a series on their opponents home court....and let's not forget the impact Vanvleet plays on this team...he was not active at the start, and worked his way back into the lineup near the end of the series, and now he will quarterback arguably the leagues best 2nd unit starting this new series against the Cavs...this series will be all about matchups, depth, and confidence on home court...it looks like 12 vs 1, and Lebron will not be able to play 40+ minutes against this team and be nearly as productive and have enough stamina to do his magic in the 4th Q...i can go on and on as to why the Raps should win this series, but i will just let it all play out for now...this is not the same old Raps and whoever really thinks they are simply haven't been paying attention to the 82 games they have been preparing themselves for this exact moment - to take on and beat Lebron James.
All the haters in the world will have no choice but to pay their respect to the Raps if/when they beat Lebron and snap his utter dominance of the Eastern conference...it will be a bitter pill for most pro-american/anti-canadian media personalities when history will show that Toronto of all teams was able to finally beat a Lebron led team.
Posted: 39 minutes ago "Quote" This isnt yesterdays craptors team.. They are deeper, defensive intensity, a less predictable more dynamic O system, and perhaps most importantly, they have an inside/outside game that is such an important release valve in the playoffs.All true Titus. But the bottom line is, so you trust Demar and Kyle to win you a Game 7. Because you know Lebron won’t go quietly.I can’t put my money on two players who have consistently wilted in the playoff spotlight.
I do not Scal, not one bit.. hate betting playoff raptors.. But, I like the thesis and I like what I am seeing from the Raptors. As important, I like what I am not seeing from Clevland - namely no consistency or anyone playing at more than bursty high level other than Lebron... 1 day rest after playing 41mins per game over a grueling 7 game series.. Can he keep that up, even if he does, is it enough? Iove the reaction of this thread - if it was clear we wouldnt be getting -185 on the series price. May lose but Ill put 1.5 units on raptors after seeing where this line settles (hoping public takes this line down further). Would risk more but I rarely place bets at these prices...
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Quote Originally Posted by scalabrine:
Posted: 39 minutes ago "Quote" This isnt yesterdays craptors team.. They are deeper, defensive intensity, a less predictable more dynamic O system, and perhaps most importantly, they have an inside/outside game that is such an important release valve in the playoffs.All true Titus. But the bottom line is, so you trust Demar and Kyle to win you a Game 7. Because you know Lebron won’t go quietly.I can’t put my money on two players who have consistently wilted in the playoff spotlight.
I do not Scal, not one bit.. hate betting playoff raptors.. But, I like the thesis and I like what I am seeing from the Raptors. As important, I like what I am not seeing from Clevland - namely no consistency or anyone playing at more than bursty high level other than Lebron... 1 day rest after playing 41mins per game over a grueling 7 game series.. Can he keep that up, even if he does, is it enough? Iove the reaction of this thread - if it was clear we wouldnt be getting -185 on the series price. May lose but Ill put 1.5 units on raptors after seeing where this line settles (hoping public takes this line down further). Would risk more but I rarely place bets at these prices...
Cleveland won cause LeBron {hate saying this but definitely deserving of it} played great.... Pacers still should have won from what I saw...Cleveland has no interior defense,,,and hardly got backed when tempo was pushed... I believe Toronto will have its way... however if they fall in love with the 3 and they are not dropping, how they play will dictate their playoff fate... Pacers lived and died with the 3.... Cleveland could not stop Young Turner Sabonis , ..
I expect Toronto to run Cleveland out of the gym, attack LeBron...especially on 1 day rest after a herculean effort.
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Cleveland won cause LeBron {hate saying this but definitely deserving of it} played great.... Pacers still should have won from what I saw...Cleveland has no interior defense,,,and hardly got backed when tempo was pushed... I believe Toronto will have its way... however if they fall in love with the 3 and they are not dropping, how they play will dictate their playoff fate... Pacers lived and died with the 3.... Cleveland could not stop Young Turner Sabonis , ..
I expect Toronto to run Cleveland out of the gym, attack LeBron...especially on 1 day rest after a herculean effort.
Even with all this being said, discounting Lebron is playing with fire. The pulse out there is that lebron and the Cavs are in over their heads; people say that because if what they saw in round 1. The Cavs and lebron know they need to up their game and even if it’s just by a little, you can’t count them out. Lebrons legacy is continuing to be written here and even though he may not reach the finals, winning this series in game 7 again would only add it that legacy. Games 1 and 2 are monumental for both teams specifically because the chances decrease greatly for the Cavs if they have to play catch up and it decreases by the game for the raptors given that playoff lebron will be felt later in the series. Raptors have to be up 2-0 or they could lose this
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Even with all this being said, discounting Lebron is playing with fire. The pulse out there is that lebron and the Cavs are in over their heads; people say that because if what they saw in round 1. The Cavs and lebron know they need to up their game and even if it’s just by a little, you can’t count them out. Lebrons legacy is continuing to be written here and even though he may not reach the finals, winning this series in game 7 again would only add it that legacy. Games 1 and 2 are monumental for both teams specifically because the chances decrease greatly for the Cavs if they have to play catch up and it decreases by the game for the raptors given that playoff lebron will be felt later in the series. Raptors have to be up 2-0 or they could lose this
Look for guys like Poetl, Siakam, Anunoby to all have significant roles in this series, their athleticism and constant movement without the ball will tire an old Cavs roster...with Toronto having home court, that's just the edge they will need to lean on to get thru this ultimate hurdle called Lebron.
I would love to see coach Casey ultilize every single possible "hard foul" on Lebron when he attempts to drive to the hoop by having Lucas Nogueira on the court alot more than they have used him this season...i think we wil see Lebron settle for alot of outside jumpers if this tactic is implemented...Lebron is alot softer than he wants us to think...but man he's an incredible flopper, the Raps better watch out if the refs start falling for his bait...this game 1 has the potential to get really dirty
MAGAm Yisrael Chai
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Look for guys like Poetl, Siakam, Anunoby to all have significant roles in this series, their athleticism and constant movement without the ball will tire an old Cavs roster...with Toronto having home court, that's just the edge they will need to lean on to get thru this ultimate hurdle called Lebron.
I would love to see coach Casey ultilize every single possible "hard foul" on Lebron when he attempts to drive to the hoop by having Lucas Nogueira on the court alot more than they have used him this season...i think we wil see Lebron settle for alot of outside jumpers if this tactic is implemented...Lebron is alot softer than he wants us to think...but man he's an incredible flopper, the Raps better watch out if the refs start falling for his bait...this game 1 has the potential to get really dirty
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