Raptors fans keep getting painful reminders of how close they were to playoff glory

"The Cavaliers are now one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals after taking a 3-2 series lead over the Detroit Pistons. Going into the playoffs, Cleveland was thought to be in the first tier of Eastern Conference contenders. When it took seven games to beat the Toronto Raptors, people questioned Cleveland's legitimacy as a contender. The Cavaliers are now showing they belong in that first tier in the East with their second-round battle against the first-seeded Detroit Pistons."

"When a team loses in the first round, it is easy to view the season as a disappointment. That is especially true for a Raptors team that had a chance to beat Cleveland. However, this season was a resounding success for Toronto. They forced a Game 7, made the Cavaliers uncomfortable all series, and showed that their defensive identity could translate to postseason success."

"The Raptors were not overwhelmed by the bright lights of the playoffs. They were not outclassed by what many thought was a better opponent. Toronto was so close to advancing. That should be frustrating. But it should also be encouraging. Cleveland's playoff run is proof that Toronto was not far away from making noise in the Eastern Conference."

"Toronto still need to improve. They need more reliable half-court offense. They need more reliable production from the center position. They need more shooting. But the gap between them and the East contenders may not be as large as it looked going into the playoffs. If Cleveland can push the Pistons to th"

Cleveland’s first-round win over Toronto was painful, and the Cavaliers’ continued success against Detroit increases that sting. Cleveland leads the second-round series 3-2 and is one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland entered the playoffs as a top Eastern contender, and the seven-game series with Toronto raised doubts about their legitimacy. Toronto’s season still counts as a success because it forced a Game 7, challenged Cleveland throughout, and demonstrated that its defensive identity can carry into the postseason. Cleveland’s roster depth and experience are greater, yet Toronto pushed them to the brink. Toronto’s next steps are improving half-court offense, center production, and shooting.

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