5 reasons we won’t get a Cavaliers-Warriors Finals rematch

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shares a hug with Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shares a hug with Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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4. The Raptors are finally a legitimate threat to make the NBA Finals

Toronto will be the most likely second round opponent for the Cavaliers, which should invoke some cause for concern in Cleveland despite recent playoff success against the franchise. Following an offensive renaissance, the Raptors have morphed into a legitimate finals contender.

Once a roster on the verge of a breakup, Toronto now boasts the league’s second best point differential with an equal offense to the Cavaliers and a stouter defense, per Cleaning the Glass.

Head coach Dwane Casey has finally instituted an offense with a more modern shot selection. The Raptors now generate 34.8 percent of their field goal attempts from behind the 3-point arc and 35.4 percent of them at the rim. Those rates are up from 26.4 and 32.7 last season, respectively. The result is a more efficient shooting attack. Toronto’s 54.2 effective field goal percentage ranks fifth in the league. The Raptors were about league average last year.

The team’s overall success is buttressed by one of the league’s most outstanding bench units. It’s five man all bench lineup, led by Fred VanVleet, has a ridiculous +16.1 net rating in nearly 600 possessions this season, per Cleaning the Glass. There are reasons to question how much that lineup will feature in the playoffs, but it’s nearly impossible to conclude Toronto’s depth will be a negative in the sport’s final weeks.

While the Cavaliers won the season series 2-1, the Raptors’ lengthy resume of success in 2017-18 is enough to suggest they could throw a wrench in plans for a finals rematch.