The Raptors are set to play in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in franchise history, but their road to an NBA championship has many obstacles.
First, the Raptors will have to overcome LeBron James and the Cavaliers and if they manage to survive that, they'll either meet the two-headed monsters of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and the Thunder or Stephen Curry and the Warriors in the NBA Finals.
Getting past James and the Cavaliers, who are 8-0 thus far through two rounds, will be daunting. Kyle Lowry realizes how tremendous of a player the two-time NBA champion and four-time NBA MVP is, but couldn't help throwing in his thoughts on Curry being tougher.
"LeBron is probably one of the best players in the league besides Steph," Lowry said in a postgame interview after the Raptors' series-clinching victory against the Heat.
The Raptors have proven to be resilient this postseason, winning two Game 7s to get to their first Eastern Conference Final. Toronto finished off Miami, 116-89, on Sunday in Game 7 at home to clinch their trip to Round 3.
Lowry had a game-high 35 points and added nine assists and four steals in the series-clinching victory. Though it's doubtful Lowry was trying to jab James, he definitely appeared to fear Curry more than his next opponent.
Curry was named the league MVP for the second consecutive season this year and became the first player to ever score the honor via unanimous decision. The Warriors point guard also returned from a sprained knee in Game 4 against the Trail Blazers last round and put up an NBA-record 17 points in overtime in the victory.
While Curry is the MVP, perhaps no player is more important to their team than James, who has helped carry the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight year. Last year, they fell to Curry and the Warriors in six games in the NBA Finals.
Lowry and the Raptors have a tough road ahead when their best-of-seven series with the Cavaliers opens on Tuesday in Cleveland.
2016 Playoffs LeBron James and Steph Curry Head-to-Head:
|
Stat |
LeBron James |
Steph Curry |
|
Games Played |
8 |
4 |
|
Points |
188 |
99 |
|
Points per game |
23.5 |
24.8 |
|
Win-Loss Record |
8-0 |
4-0 |
|
Team Postseason Record |
8-0 |
8-2 |
