4 keys to Raptors stealing a win in Cleveland

By now everyone is aware of the narrative that preceded the NBA's Eastern Conference final between the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Surely the Cavaliers would sweep. Perhaps the Raptors might win one game.

However, four games into the series, the conversation has shifted to the possibility of Toronto actually taking a best-of-seven set from LeBron James and Co.

After losing the first two games in Cleveland by a combined 50 points, the Raptors were able to even the series 2-2 with a pair of wins in front of a boisterous crowd at the Air Canada Centre. 

On Wednesday, the Raptors will try for the third time to win a game in the Cavaliers' building. If that were to happen, they would have a chance to close out the series at home on Friday. 

Here are some of the things that would have to go right for the Raptors to leave Cleveland with an improbable 3-2 lead.

No 2nd quarter funk

It may seem like the simplest thing, but a sustained effort is so important, especially on the road.

"The games that we lost there, there were probably three or four-minute segments, portions of the game that really did us in in both games," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey.

"If we can sustain our defence against their runs and not let them blow it open in those three or four-minute segments ... and we've [also] got to respond offensively."

Toronto kept the score close in the first quarters of both Games 1 and 2, trailing 33-28 and 30-28. But it was in the second quarter where Cleveland was able to break the games open. The Raptors were outscored 33-16 in the second quarter of Game 1 and 32-20 in Game 2, which accounts for 36 of the 50-point combined losses. 

However, at the Air Canada Centre, the Raptors turned the tables in the second quarters, outscoring Cleveland 33-23 in Game 3 and 30-17 in Game 4. That margin became particularly important in Game 4. Cleveland managed to fight all the way back from an 18-point deficit to briefly take the lead, however the Raptors were ultimately able to fend off the charge from the Cavs in part because of the breathing room they created earlier in the night.

Biyombo says play 'our' game

In a lengthy and wide-ranging scrum following Toronto's 105-99 win in Game 4, Bismack Biyombo spoke about the importance of playing "our" game in Cleveland — something his Raptors didn't do early in the series. 

The Raptors centre, who has provided a huge boost in the series, stressed the importance of being consistent, staying patient, and playing with confidence. 

Be aggressive

It is of little surprise that monster games from both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan helped Toronto even the series when the team appeared on the ropes. 

The all-star duo combined for just 26 and 32 points in the first two games. In DeRozan's case, he actually shot the ball well, connecting on 9-of-17 and 8-of-18 field goals, respectively.

On the other hand, Lowry was off the mark, shooting 4-of-14 in both contests.

But what really stands out is that neither player attempted a free throw in Game 1 and the duo combined for only eight attempts in Game 2. 

This is unusual considering DeRozan ranked third during the regular season with 8.4 free throw attempts per game to go along with 6.4 from Lowry.

For both players, there wasn't much difference between home and away games during the regular season. DeRozan averaged 8.8 free throws at home and 8.0 on the road and Lowry averaged 6.4 across the board. 

Typically it's tougher to get calls on the road — particularly in the playoffs — but the Raptors will benefit if their backcourt duo can stay aggressive and force the officials to blow the whistle in their favour, especially if the shots aren't falling. 

A lack of free throw attempts from the pair was still glaring in the home games, but became less of a factor with DeRozan and Lowry exploding for a combined 52 and 67 points in Games 3 and 4 respectively, compared to a total of 58 in the opening two games. 

Road warriors 

Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that this series is tied, considering just one win separated the Raptors and Cavs during the regular season.

Cleveland was 33-8, while the Raptors were 32-9 at home and they had identical 24-17 records on the road. Only Golden State (34) and San Antonio (27) had more wins away from home.

The Raptors have shown they can win in hostile environments — for example a 103-98 win in Oklahoma in November — but during the playoffs they have stumbled to an uncharacteristic 2-6 mark on the road.

If the Raptors found a way to pack that winning formula from Games 3 and 4 in their suitcases, they just might have a chance to steal a win in Cleveland.