The Eastern Conference finals are set to get underway as the Raptors and Cavaliers are about to go head-to-head in Game 1 live from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Tuesday night.
Toronto is in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in franchise history, while Cleveland is back in Round 3 for the second straight postseason and will look to advance to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year.
The Raptors have shown resiliency all playoffs long, overcoming two Game 7s to get here by ousting the Pacers in Round 1 and the Heat in Round 2. The Cavaliers made it as easy as possible on themselves to get back to the conference finals, sweeping away the Pistons in Round 1 and the Hawks in Round 2.
Cleveland has had nine days off between games, while Toronto has scratched and clawed to keep its season alive. LeBron James, who led Cleveland with 25.3 points per game in the regular season and has a 23.5 mark through the playoffs, doesn't see it as an edge.
"It's not an advantage," James said after practice Monday, according to ESPN. "They're here for a reason. You got to go out and play. They also played two seven-game series and we didn't. So they can have the upper edge on that. So, there's no advantage to either team. Both teams are 0-0 and it's the first to four."
Toronto already took a perceived dig at James when Kyle Lowry, who dropped 35 points in Game 7 against the Heat, was asked about facing him.
"LeBron's probably one of the best players in the league -- besides Steph (Curry)," Lowry said via ESPN.
Curry won his second MVP Award and was the first person to ever win the honor unanimously. The Raptors have downplayed the chatter.
"There's nothing but respect in our locker room and our organization for LeBron James," Raptors coach Dwane Casey told ESPN.
Game Details & Live Stream
Matchup: Raptors at Cavaliers Eastern Conference finals Game 1
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Radio: Toronto (TSN 1050); Cleveland (WMMS 100.7)
Betting Odds: The latest betting odds can be found here.
Watch Online: This game can be live streamed for free here.
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