Raptors guard Kyle Lowry rules himself out of Game 4

There was no “hometown discount”, instead Biyombo walked to Orlando, as the Raptors stumbled back into thinking Jonas Valanciunas- an offensive centre- was the starter they needed, while also signing an out of shape Jared Sullinger in an attempt to put even more points on the board.

The Cavs finished off the Raptors about an hour before Game 4 between the Celtics and Wizards tipped off in Washington. “Honestly, what I’ve thought about is, yes, I’ll opt out, and how I need to get better as a basketball player”.

Ibaka, 27, said he enjoyed his time in Toronto after coming over in a February 14 trade with Orlando.

The thumping at the hands of the Cavaliers would not have provided Ujiri with a lot of useful information as he considers his next move.

“We knew once we were healthy we could go on runs like this”, Lue said.

“I thought teams would compete a little harder”, Green said.

GameTime’s chime in on the future of the Toronto Raptors’ roster. “Those decisions will be up to Masai”, he said. “I will be opting out, and that’s as far as I’ve gotten”. I think it’s a testament to their character and the culture that those guys have created.

That left many debating the biggest topic leading into the playoffs: Would LeBron James and the Cavs be able to “flip the switch” and start dominating when it matters most after two months of looking mediocre and vulnerable?

“Ifs and buts and candy and nuts”, Casey said, with a slight smile.

Kyle Korver talked frankly this week about how different the mindset is when you play for the Cavaliers, how they discuss trying to get a sweep as a stated goal. And maybe he wants out of this particular conference so he doesn’t have to face LeBron James next year should Toronto make it to the playoffs again.

Lowry said on Monday when asked about what he wants the most. That is a huge compliment to the impact of James not a shot at a 50+ win Toronto team. For the Cavaliers in Game 4, this stat was really a tale of two halves. And while the Raptors played great on offense for much of the season, their playoff struggles are nothing new.

But it would not last. After half-time the Wizards scored 26 unanswered points in the third quarter, as the team levelled the series, ahead of the final three matches.

Irving put Cleveland back on top with a 3-pointer and with 5:34 to play made two free throws to give Cleveland a four-point lead.

Second, Cleveland starting bombing away like mad. In Game 4, Korver was the X-factor for the Cavaliers, hitting 6-of-8 from three-point range en route to 18 points off the bench. And also the Raptors were hoofed in the nuggets. Like MJ did in the 90s, he’s left several good teams – and some great players – wondering: what if?

And when push came to shove Sunday, with Toronto finally leading at 93-92 with 6:38 remaining, the Raptors could not stop Kyrie Irving from reeling off 11 straight points and James sinking a dagger of a three-pointer then shaking his head at what was suddenly a 106-95 Cleveland lead.

Cleveland led 61-49 at the intermission with James and Korver leading the scoring with 16 points apiece. The Raptors were playing whack-a-mole and the Cavs had way too many moles.

Tucker had plenty of good things to say about his latest run in Toronto, which began on National Basketball Association trade deadline day when the Raptors acquired him from Phoenix.

The Cavs were that.

Instead of providing their defensive force with another opportunity, Masai Ujiri chose to put his fate in the Raptors’ offence.