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TSN Basketball Analyst

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TSN basketball analyst checks in with thoughts on Toronto Raptors fan support and looks ahead to the Raptors and Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference second round.

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1. RAPTORS CROWDS: I must say that I was so impressed with the intensity, passion and support that the folks in the Air Canada Centre gave the Raptors last night. Home-court advantage is a HUGE factor in the playoffs and a crazy fan base can make a big difference in the outcome.  I've seen it time and time again over the years - it matters.  For the Raptors to have a chance to win in Round 2 against a very talented Miami Heat team, they'll need the ACC to be pure bedlam in Games 1 and 2, and maybe 5 and 7. The scene outside the arena in Jurassic Park is the best in the NBA by far, whether the Raps are at home or on the road. Awesome!

2. CORY JOSEPH: The man just shows up and plays his heart out. Joseph's on and off-ball defence is outstanding and he did a terrific job of slowing down the penetration by Indy. His clutch offensive play was on display during the entire first round a great pick-up by Masai Ujiri.

3. HASSAN WHITESIDE: The man is a beast - an incredibly talented big man who can block shots an rebound with the best of them.  Whiteside will be a load for the Raps to deal with and the Heat have some marvelous perimeter players to go along with him.  Toronto will have to limit his offensive rebounds and dunks. If you slow him down, you can lock into the major task of dealing with multiple skilled players who all can shoot, handle and pass it. This is a good team.

4. JV & BIZ GETTING BUSY: How about the Raptors' 5 spots in Game 7 vs. Indy?  Twenty-four rebounds combined between Jonas Valanciunas and Bismack Biyombo and 10 of those were on the offensive boards, which were huge. It's always about combining their numbers and evaluating from there. Combined, they have the potential to and will have to outplay Whiteside in the lane without picking up cheap fouls.

5. HEAT VS. RAPTORS (Heat in 6): I hope I'm wrong. For the Raptors to win this series, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have to be a lot better than they were in Round 1, both with productivity and efficiency.  You can't waste possessions against a team that is so talented and this efficient and can't get away with lots of missed shots and poor shots against elite players because they make you pay dearly.  I feel confident that both Lowry and DeRozan will be better. They are excellent players who can and will play better. But Luol Deng, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson and Goran Dragic are all big-time, legit offensive playmakers that have to be held in check, so Toronto's D has to look like it did in Game 7.  Raps beat Miami three of four this season, but the playoffs are a different animal. Toronto has to play a lot better offensively overall than they did in Round 1 to win this. Miami is too good to have games where you bring less than your best. In addition, don't expect the benefit of the doubt from the officials in this series. The Raps gotta earn it and play through adversity.  As I said, I hope I'm wrong.  My heart is with the Raps, but my head says the Heat - thankfully, there usually isn't much in my head, anyway.  Let's hope for a terrific series. Enjoy.