NBA Playoffs: 5 things we learned from the Cavaliers sweep of the Raptors

NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 things we learned from the Cavaliers sweep of the Raptors

May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) celebrate after the second round of game four of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 9, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyle Korver (26) shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kyle Korver is finding his stride with the Cavaliers

General manager David Griffin has been known for working his mid-season magic to acquire difference makers. In 2015, Griffin added Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith. Last year, he added sharp-shooting big man Channing Frye. Earlier this season, he continued his success by adding 3-point sniper, Kyle Korver.

Korver has been a professional marksman from deep, shooting 43 percent for his career. In his short stint with the Cavaliers, Korver has bumped that up to 49 percent. Although the sample size is small, that’s the best percentage he’s had with any team in his career. Korver’s become a beneficiary of the wide-open looks due to the attention that LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are given.

Against the Raptors, Korver has seemed to find another gear, as he’s turned up his game to another level. In the final two games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Korver put up a combined 32 points on 11-for-15 shooting, hitting a cool 66 percent from 3-point range.

Korver, who joined the Cavaliers in early January, made 35 appearances with the Cavaliers, but was hampered by injuries late in the season. Those nagging injuries affected his rhythm and chemistry with the team, but it seems like he’s caught fire as of late.

As DeMar DeRozan said after being swept, “they’re a heck of a 3-point shooting team, you know, they get hot, they got one of the best 3-point shooters in the league in Kyle Korver and they do a great job of getting him going and it showed tonight.”

Korver has been a huge difference maker with the Cavaliers’ second unit. It’s a lineup that features LeBron James, Deron Williams, Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert and Korver. The amount of space and 3-point shooting in this lineup is unreal and it’s been indirectly benefiting Korver and his game.

The Cavaliers will need all their horses if they want to go head-to-head against the Warriors in a potential NBA Finals three-match and it’s a great sign that Kyle Korver is finding his stride as of late.

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