NBA Playoff Schedule 2016: Predictions, TV and Live Stream Coverage for Saturday
As a wise man by the name of Khaled bin Abdul Khaled once said, “Another one.”
(Yes, that's DJ Khaled.)
After dropping the hammer in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, 115-84, on Tuesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers once again smacked the Toronto Raptors around in Thursday’s Game 2, 108-89.
The latest beating wasn’t nearly as embarrassing. Early on, the Raptors kept things interesting, but they could never close the gap. For example, with 4:54 left in the first half, Cleveland led 46-43. By the end of the second quarter, the Cavs extended their lead to 62-48.
Toronto never recovered.
Now, with the thought of a sweep creeping into everyone’s mind, the Raptors will try to steal a win on their home floor in Game 3.
Here’s how to watch.
Key Info
| 3 | Saturday, May 21 | Air Canada Centre | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
All Eastern Conference Finals games can be streamed through ESPN here.
Predictions
DeMarre Carroll Finally Shows Up
The first two Eastern Conference Finals games have not been kind to DeMarre Carroll.
More specifically, LeBron James has not been kind to the Raptors forward.
Guarding the King one-on-one is a tall task, so nobody expected Carroll to completely stop James despite having been one of the most successful at it the past two seasons, per ESPN Stats:
This series? Yeah, not so much.
James has abused Carroll on both ends. After pouring in 24 points on 11-of-13 shooting to go with six boards and four assists in Game 1, LBJ dropped 23 points (7-of-13), 11 rebounds and 11 dimes in Game 2.
Thursday night’s explosion came after Carroll complained about James’ tendency to draw whistles, per Cavs Nation TV:
How will Game 3 be any different for Carroll, at least offensively? It’ll be at home.
During the regular season, the 29-year-old averaged more points (11.7 to 10.5), rebounds (5.2 to 4.3) and assists (1.4 to 0.8) at Air Canada Centre than he did on the road. Carroll is only averaging 4.5 points on 27.3 percent shooting this series, so expect him to be more locked in come Saturday.
On both ends.
Everyone knows defense is easier when your shots are falling on the other end. Carroll should finally show up once the series heads north.
Irving Leads Cleveland in Scoring…Again
Kyrie Irving has led the Cavaliers in scoring each game this series.
That won’t stop in Game 3.
The super-shifty point guard has decimated the Raptors in Games 1 and 2 to the tune of 26 points (59 percent), four assists and three rebounds per game—not to mention several lethal crossovers.
ESPN’s Amin Elhassan has an idea that nobody can oppose:
Uncle Drew has launched himself into another level during the postseason, which includes sweeps over the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks, per the NBA on ESPN:
After dragging the depleted Cavaliers last season, LBJ is more than happy to let Irving go to work on offense against a team that simply can’t stay in front of him.
This video, from The Cauldron's C.J. Fogler, is one of many examples:
Nothing will change in Game 3 for Irving. He’s a volume shooter, so maybe he clangs a few more than usual.
But don’t be surprised when he scores in the high 20s/low 30s and tops Cleveland in the scoring column while James orchestrates the offense.
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