CLEVELAND -- Trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Toronto Raptors are making a lineup switch heading into a pivotal Game 3.
Toronto head coach Dwane Casey has inserted guard Fred VanVleet into the Raptors' starting lineup, moving veteran power forward Serge Ibaka to the bench. The move is likely designed to counter the speed of the Cavaliers' smaller starting lineup, which features Kevin Love -- traditionally a power forward -- at center.
Although Love has stated before that he feels more comfortable at his natural position, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue has stuck to his guns by primarily featuring the 5-time All-Star at center against Toronto. Thus far, it'd be tough to argue with the results, as the 6-foot-10 Love had his best performance of the playoffs in the Cavs' 128-110 Game 2 victory, scoring 31 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Ibaka, meanwhile, struggled to keep pace with the Cavs' speed and didn't do much to counteract his defensive woes on the offensive side of the floor. In 12 minutes, the 8th-year veteran missed all five of his field goal attempts, scoring just two points on the night.
A 6-foot guard VanVleet has been one of the best bench players in the NBA this season. The second-year Wichita State product averaged 8.6 points and 3.2 assists while playing 20 minutes per game.
In Game 1 against the Cavs, he had to be restrained from going after LeBron James, after the Cavs megastar gave him a slight shove after a play.
