Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers
PREVIEW: The Toronto Raptors will look to avoid a 13th straight playoff loss against the Cavaliers when they host Cleveland for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night. Cleveland has controlled this series from the start, winning each of the first two games by double digit figures. Toronto ranks first in good passing and second in efficient attacking the rim, while Cleveland sits seventh in few shots attacking the rim allowed on defense and eighth in efficient three-point shooting. The biggest issue for the Raptors right now is the lack of production from Ingram, who led the team in scoring during the regular season, following up a Game 1 performance in which he had 17 points on just nine attempts with a brutal seven-point outing in Game 2, finishing 3-for-15 shooting with five turnovers.
Donovan Mitchell dropped a game-high 30 points, while James Harden added 28 and Evan Mobley had 25 in Game 2. The Cavaliers' offense features efficient attacking at the rim ranked second and good passing ranked first, while their defense forces a lot of turnovers ranked fourth. The Cavs are preparing for Ingram to be a primary offensive hub for all 48 minutes, which could mean living with contested shot-making that he is capable of converting, as Atkinson expects that to be the Raptors' adjustment with Ingram going to be super aggressive. With the support of a loud home crowd, Darko Rajakovic's squad is expected to approach the upcoming game with a higher level of effort and defensive intensity compared to the opening matchups.