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#CavsRaptors Game 1 Preview - May 1, 2017

Game Summary

The defending NBA Champion Cavaliers continue their 2017 Playoff run when they take on the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Tipoff on Monday night from Quicken Loans Arena is at 7:00 p.m. (ET).

Going back to the 2015 postseason, the Cavs hold a 28-4 playoff record against Eastern Conference opponents, which includes a 15-1 mark at The Q.

White Jersey

CAVS TO DON WHITE JERSEYS.
From where to catch all the action to Monday's game notes, Cavs.com has you covered.

NBA on TNT

WTAM 1100, 87.7 FM La Mega

Joe G. has your five keys to a victory.

Learn more about Monday's matchup.

Discuss on Wine & Gold Nation.

In their four-game sweep over Indiana, the Cavs averaged 112.8 points, while shooting a combined .483 shooting from the field, including .403 from the three-point line. The 112.8 points is a franchise playoff record for a single series. (Elias Sports Bureau)

The Cavs are averaging 13.5 three-pointers per game and shooting .403 (54-134) from deep in this year’s playoffs. Cleveland connected on 21-44 shots from three-point range in Game 3 of the First Round against the Pacers on April 20. In NBA postseason history, there’s only been nine times a team has made at least 20 threes, and the Cavs have done it four of those times.

This is the second ever meeting between the Cavs and Raptors in the postseason, with the Cavs defeating the Raptors 4-2 in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. In that series, Cleveland outscored Toronto by an average of 15.5 points (105.8-90.3), which includes the franchise’s largest margin of victory in playoff history (38 points) in a 116-78 victory over the Raptors in Game 5.

Toronto fought off the young, scrappy Milwaukee Bucks in six games with their First Round matchup.

Where to Catch the Action

TV: NBA on TNT

Radio: WTAM 1100, 87.7 La Mega

For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike and @chones22 on Twitter.

Probable Starters/Status Update*

#2 - Kyrie Irving

#5 - J.R. Smith

#23 - LeBron James

#0 - Kevin Love

#13 - Tristan Thompson

G

G

F

F

C

#7 - Kyle Lowry

#10 - DeMar DeRozan

#5 - DeMarre Carroll

#9 - Serge Ibaka

#17 - Jonas Valanciunas

Status Update: (Cavs) - Kay Felder, (Left Ankle, Out)

Status Update: (Raptors) - None to Report

*Subject to change.

Fan Guide

Head-to-Head Matchup

October 28: With the game knotted at 91, LeBron James found a wide open Kyrie Irving, who nailed the eventual game-winning three-pointer with 44.3 seconds to go to give the Cavs the 94-91 victory in Toronto. Irving knocked down 5-9 (.556) shots from deep and ended up with a team-high 26 points, six rebounds and six assists. Kevin Love registered his second double-double of the season with 18 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. LeBron had a solid all-around game with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

November 15: Cleveland's 121-117 win improved their record to 9-1 on the season, tying their best start through 10 games in franchise history (1976-77 season). The Cavs shot a season-best .530 (44-83) from the field…Cleveland eclipsed the 100-point mark for eighth straight game. LeBron James recorded his sixth double-double of the season (323rd of his career) with a game-high tying 28 points on 10-15 (.667) shooting, nine rebounds and a season-high tying 14 assists. Channing Frye scored a season-high 21 points (13 in the fourth quarter) on 7-10 (.700) shooting from the field and 5-8 (.625) shooting from beyond the arc, while also pulling down three rebounds.

December 5: Leading 97-92 at the 8:40 mark of the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers scored 10 straight points to push its lead to 15 with 5:41 remaining and held on for the 116-112 win in Toronto. LeBron James finished with a season-high 34 points, including a 8-9 (.889) clip from the foul line, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Kevin Love recorded his 13th double-double of the season with 28 points and a game-high tying 14 rebounds, while shooting 6-11 (.545) from long range. Kyrie Irving poured in his 10th straight 20-point game with 24 points on 9-18 (.500) shooting from the field and seven assists.

April 12: The Wine and Gold rested most of their rotation guys and fell to the Raptors 98-83. Iman Shumpert finished with a team-high 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Deron Williams tallied 10 points, including a 3-4 (.750) mark from deep, three rebounds and a team-high tying four assists in 25 minutes. The Cavs were outscored 27-13 in the second quarter.

On Deck

The series continues on Wednesday at The Q for Game 2. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. ET. Then, the series shifts north of the border on Friday and Sunday for Games 3 and 4.TICKETS | SCHEDULE