Finally, the stage is set for the Eastern Conference Finals as the Toronto Raptors edged the Miami Heat in their game seven match-up. They are now bound to face the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers for the chance to win it all.
The Raptors are coming off from two straight seven-game series as they were almost eliminated by the Paul George-led Indiana Pacers and now, barely escaping the dangerous Heat squad led by Dywane Wade. It will be interesting to see if the Raptors can still play seven more games against a talent-loaded Cavs squad.
Raptors stars DeMar Derozan and Kyle Lowry had been on-and-off during the 14-game stretch and if they plan to surpass the Cavs, consistency is needed more than ever. Also, the health of Jonas Valanciunas, who got injured in round two, remains a key factor to the team's success.
However, Valanciunas' absence is said to be a non-factor according to Toronto Sun. The team is said to work best in transition and as long as DeMarre Caroll, Cory Joseph and Terrence Ross hit their outside shots, the team should be just fine.
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, have swept both the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks giving them the advantage in terms of rest. In fact, Cavs superstar LeBron James noted the importance of getting the job done as soon as possible as the rest they were able to get surely benefited the team a lot.
"I've always said anytime you get an opportunity to get some rest throughout the course of our season, it's always beneficial for anybody," James told USA Today. "Doesn't matter if you're a 31-year-old guy who's played a lot of basketball or you're a 19-year-old kid who just came into the league. It doesn't matter - you get a couple days in the postseason, there's a benefit."
After a slow start early this season, the Cavaliers are now clicking on all cylinders and their team chemistry is at an all-time high. Kevin Love is finally adjusting to the game plan and Kyrie Irving's return gave them the much needed offensive boost that they will definitely need once they go toe-to-toe with the Golden State Warriors.
Here are some highlights of the highly contested game seven between the Raptors and the Heat.