Raptors film room: three factors that will decide their series against the Cavs

It’s official! The Raptors will play the Cleveland Cavaliers in round 1 of the NBA playoffs. Here are 3 keys to how the series will shake out.

0:00 – Recap of games 3:00 – Shooting and Ingram 6:00 – Using Mobley against them and Jakob 8:40 – More Ingram 10:00 – Regular season isn’t everything 14:00 – James Harden 17:00 – 3 things

Here’s Samson on the moment:

Pre-ASB the Raptors were the worst team in the NBA when it came to scoring out of spot ups. They were scoring a lowly .974 points per possession where most teams in the NBA were able to clear at least a point per possession. They shot 43% on drives out of spot ups and 34% on their threes. Since the All-Star break the Raptors have been a borderline top 10 team out of spot ups, putting up a 48% mark on drives and 38% from downtown. Great stuff, and a really important trend heading into the playoffs.

“It’s definitely putting the work in and trusting each other. Trusting the right pass, trusting the right shot – catch and shoots.” Coach Darko told me of the Raptors improvement. “Also, we tried to lift the pressure off of guys. We’re willing to win, we’re willing to lose if we’re making the right decisions and taking the right shots. The guys have worked hard to improve that and to be able to contribute to the team. All the guys have taken pride in it and gone back to put work in, in the gym.”

How important are the stars of the team, when it comes to supporting role players making or missing looks? Very, according to Coach Darko: “That’s huge, to be honest with you. Scottie and BI especially have been great with the young guys and their teammates in encouraging them to keep shooting. We know what good shots are for us, and yes I can do it as a coach, but the message is completely different when it comes from those guys.”

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