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As the Eastern Conference Finals sets to tip-off tonight, very few fans or members of the media are giving the Toronto Raptors much of a chance to take the series from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs won all eight of their playoff games in the first two rounds and have shot at a historic rate from beyond the three-point arc. Meanwhile, the Raptors have scratched and clawed their way past the Pacers and Heat, winning each series in seven games.
This narrative of Toronto being nothing more than a speed bump for LeBron James and the Cavs on their way back to the Finals is actually sitting quite well with Raptors head coach Dwane Casey. He's been playing the underdog card all season with his players, and now it has reached its peak.
“I don't gamble so I wouldn't know what the oddsmakers are saying but I know what the media is saying,” Casey said, via TSN's Josh Lewenberg. “I love that people discount us.”
The Cavs are double-digit betting favorites to win Game 1 tonight. Their 46.2 percent average from three-point land in the postseason has allowed them to run away from their opponents.
All of the odds and statistics are stacked up against the Raptors, but that only gives Casey more ammunition to motivate his team with.
“No one gives us a snowball's chance in you know where to win, which I like,” Casey said. “If they beat us they beat us but it won't be from us coming in and (not) competing and (not) playing to win.”
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