Here we are. Game 7 at home with the pressure and expectations squarely on the Toronto Raptors because of events past and present.
The Raptors have only won a playoff series once. None of the current players on the roster have won a playoff series with the franchise. The team has never won a seven-game playoff series in its history. Only 13 active players made their NBA debuts before the last time Toronto advanced past the first round.
It’s been at times a dismal franchise with no legacy of winning. The culture has changed and they’ve been cutting edge in the NBA in various areas but if that doesn’t translate to playoff success none of it will matter. All people will say is “same old Raptors.”
Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers will either be a chance to exorcise demons and tangibly demonstrate growth, or be the catalyst to blowing things up and starting from scratch. It isn’t hyperbole to say this is the biggest game in franchise history because of how it affects the future outlook.
Raptors key to the game #1: Maintain
After a series, and really a season, full of slow starts, the Raptors came out on fire in Game 6. They took an 18-6 lead by holding Indiana to 16.7 per cent shooting. But it was all downhill after that as they looked like a team playing to protect a lead, not extend it. The attention to detail and energy level will have to be maintained for four quarters in Game 7.
Raptors key to the game #2: Hit the three
Dwane Casey wanted to get up more three-pointers this year so Toronto could score more efficiently. Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry were the Raptors’ two most consistent deep threats during the regular season.
Scola added the three-point shot to his game and hit 40.4 per cent of them. Lowry hit his threes in a variety of ways and connected on 38.8 per cent despite the volume and degree of difficulty. He even represented Toronto in the three-point competition at All-Star Weekend.
That success has gone out the window in the post-season as Scola and Lowry are a combined 8-of-50 from beyond the arc in the playoffs. Scola is no longer in the rotation and Lowry has been more judicious in taking them as the series has worn on. The Raptors have to keep pace with Indiana from three-point range if they are going to stay in the game.
Pacers key to the game: Move the ball
Although they seem like an iso team that feeds off of Paul George, Indiana is actually much more dangerous when they are whipping the ball around the perimeter. Their offence is only effective when they make the extra pass to get seemingly wide-open three-point shots. The Pacers had just 16 assists in their Game 3 loss, but have eclipsed 20 assists in each outing since.
Raptors player to watch: DeMar DeRozan
If you thought Vince Carter took heat for going to his college graduation during the 2001 playoffs, that will seem like nothing in comparison to DeMar DeRozan’s scrutiny level if the Raptors don’t advance. Rightly or wrongly (which is my opinion) this series has become a referendum on if DeRozan is worth max money when he hits free agency this summer. His stat line will be closely monitored and don’t be surprised if he responds in a big way.
Pacers players to watch: The George Brothers
No, they aren’t brothers but they are connected at the hip. Paul George and George Hill have been great for Indiana for the better part of the series. As much as they have contributed offensively they have been better defensively, getting the better of Lowry and DeRozan. They held the Raptors’ all-star backcourt to just 7-of-27 shooting in Game 6. Indiana probably would have won Game 5 if Frank Vogel hadn’t rested them together twice. Don’t expect that to happen again in Game 7. Barring foul trouble or injury, they are a safe bet to play 40-plus minutes in the close-out game.
KEY STAT: The Raptors have never won a Game 7 in the 21-year history of the franchise. The team is 0-2 in Game 7s with one-point losses against Philadelphia in 2001 and Brooklyn in 2014. By comparison, Indiana is 3-4 in post-season Game 7s