Cavaliers pound the Raptors: Four things we learned

The Cleveland Cavaliers have looked dominant in these playoffs, sweeping through the first two rounds. They did it again, pounding the Toronto Raptors in Game 1.

The Cavaliers extended their playoff unbeaten streak to nine games, taking down the Raptors in Game 1. Cleveland led by five points at the end of the first quarter, 22 points at the half, 28 points at the end of the third quarter, and 31 when the final buzzer mercifully sounded.

While the final margin looked reminiscent of what Cleveland had done to the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks in the last two rounds, they shifted tactics, moderating their three-point shooting with a steady diet of thunderous dunks and uncontested layups.

The Raptors now have to pick themselves up off the mat after another discouraging playoff loss. They are  not satisfied with just making the first Conference Finals in franchise history, but their confidence may have been shaken by how thoroughly and easily they were taken apart by the Cavaliers.

Kyle Lowry struggled again and the team’s defensive execution was a disaster. If Toronto plans on making this a series there are plenty of places to start looking for adjustments.

Here are a few of the key points that revealed themselves in Game 1.

Next: 4. Cleveland's shooters are a problem