Rest is always a good thing after the six-month, 82-game marathon of the regular season and the pressure-packed regimen of the playoffs.
Here's how the Cleveland Cavaliers second round series against the Toronto Raptors looked, by the numbers.
"Getting over that hump is the hardest thing to do", said Toronto coach Dwane Casey, who experienced this as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks before they went on to win a championship.
Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, PJ Tucker and Patrick Patterson will be free agents.
Ujiri has said he wants Lowry back but doesn't think it's realistic to expect them all back.
Lowry could get a 5-year deal worth more than $200 million during the offseason if the Raptors re-sign him to a five-year maximum contract using his Bird rights.
According to Ujiri, the Raptors want to retain their All-Star point guard, who is coming off a career year, averaging 22.1 points, seven assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting over 41 percent from downtown. "I tried my best. but he made some tough shots". The guy came straight out of high school to be selected No. 1 overall in the 2003 National Basketball Association draft.
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But with Kyle Lowry on the bench for a second straight game with a sprained ankle, Raptors couldn't match the Cavs' firepower. The 27-year-old Ibaka helped Toronto produce the fourth-best defensive rating in the National Basketball Association and the second-most wins after the All-Star break after arriving via trade from the Orlando Magic. Meanwhile, Tucker was an absolute force at the defensive end of the floor.
GameTime's chime in on the future of the Toronto Raptors' roster.
But J.R. Smith, who's been busy playing defense the entire playoffs, averaged just 6.0 points in the series. This time, the Cavs swept the Raptors.
But if Johnson receives an overwhelming offer the Heat decide is more than they are willing to pay, Ibaka could be in play for Miami this summer. He dropped a hint of that when he was asked about his priorities as a free agent. Danilo Gallinari could be available.
If going out West is under consideration, signing with the San Antonio Spurs might be a real option. Ujiri is the master of saying a lot and giving you a little, but he was extremely candid during this press conference and seemed to foreshadow what should be a compelling summer of change for the Raptors. That will require an aggressive approach in free agency as they look to lock up some quality three-point shooters. "Guys that can stretch the floor, keep the floor spaced". The Raptors will save substantial money if they don't bring back Lowry.
The Heat's need for a quality power forward depends on if they can retain James Johnson.
After sweeping an Eastern Conference playoff series.
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