The Toronto Raptors face elimination Friday night at the Air Canada Centre. After picking up a pair of wins to even the series at 2-2 , Toronto visited Cleveland in Game 5 Wednesday and got smoked by the Cavaliers.
The Raptors hope home court will play to their advantage when they tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final.
Can the #Raptors avoid elimination at home in Game 6 vs. the Cavaliers on Friday? #RTZ #NBAPlayoffs
— Globe Sports (@Globe_Sports) May 26, 2016
No place like home
The Raptors are 8-2 at home in the postseason following a 32-9 record at the ACC in the regular season. If they can emulate their successes from Games 3 and 4 earlier in the series, chances are they'll be headed back to Cleveland for a seventh and deciding game on Sunday.
More JV could help Toronto
After making his return to the court last game, a healthier Jonas Valanciunas would provide the Raptors an offensive boost down low.
The Raptors big man went down with a sprained ankle midway through the second round and finally returned in Game 5, logging 18 minutes and scoring nine points.
Off day distraction
The Raptors' day off Thursday was consumed by a report in the Toronto Sun that claimed key players DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph were seen in a Cleveland casino at around 2 a.m. on the eve of Game 5.
DeMarre Carroll & Cory Joseph of the @Raptors arrive for Game 5 of the ECF in Cleveland. #CAVSvRAPTORS https://t.co/wBwuvzXxBt
— NBA (@NBA) May 25, 2016
As the Globe's Rachel Brady reported, the team shrugged off the suggestion that the duo's late night had anything to do with a sluggish Game 5 performance.
2016 NBA Playoffs Raptors coach Dwane Casey says he isn’t concerned that DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph were at a casino late on the eve of Toronto’s Game 5
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With files from the Associated Press
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