Play @ The ACC - Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

In the midst of a successful regular season which saw them tally the most wins in franchise history, 59, the Toronto Raptors set their sights on a long post season run that hopes to take them all the way to the #NBAFinals. 

However, it was only a matter of time for Toronto to come face to face with their familiar foe: LeBron James.

Two days after beating the Washington Wizards in six games in the opening round of the 2018 #NBAPlayoffs, the Raptors watched the Cavaliers edge out a Game 7 win on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers.

BRING ON LEBRON.

"Gotta go through the best to get to that trophy, every step of the way we're going to come across somebody. So why not the guy that's been in the finals the last X amount of years," DeRozan said. "Why we don't want to be the team that knock that team off? That's what it's all about.

"As a competitor you want to be in the moments, you want to thrive in the moments, and we have the opportunity again to be able to do that."

There has been plenty of talk about the Cavs being Toronto’s kryptonite – they eliminated the Raptors the past two seasons with little effort but Raptors coach Dwane Casey believes his team is better built to face the Cavs, or any other NBA team, this season.

"We feel like we are," Casey said. "We feel very confident with our second unit, playing them, going against whoever. Whether it's Cleveland, Indiana, whoever it is. I thought it eventually showed the other night.

"You've got to have that type of confidence to go against anybody — not just Cleveland, not just Boston, not just Philadelphia. You've got to have supreme confidence in yourself, what you do, in your teammates at this time of year."

After last year's sweep by Cleveland in the second round, the Raptors reworked their style of play with a focus on better ball sharing, and the development of the bench. The second unit was among the leagues best in the regular season, and closed out Friday's Game 6 victory in Washington.

"I just think that this time of year, we have a really good team, and we're really balanced, and we have a good chance to keep competing and advancing," said backup guard Fred VanVleet. "It's a new year. Those past experiences are in the past, and it's a new year, a new team, feels different, looks different, and we're going out there to make the outcome different."

Another added benefit is that the Raptors hold home court advantage in this series. With 4 of the 7 games being played in Toronto (if necessary) the Raptors must find a way to use their amazing fans and incredible play at home to their benefit.

At the end of the day, this is what its all about. Nothing else matters unless we can prove to the world that we are capable of beating the best. It starts tonight with LeBron James. This is personal. 

The schedule for the entire series is as follows:

Game 1 – Tues. 8pm @Toronto

Game 2 – Thurs. 6pm @Toronto

Game 3 – Sat. 8:30pm @Cleveland

Game 4 – Mon. 8:30pm @Cleveland

Game 5* - Wed. May 9 TBD @Toronto

Game 6* - Fri. May 11 TBD @Cleveland

Game 7* - Sun. May 13 TBD @Toronto