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TSN Basketball Analyst

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FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS:

1. TRISTAN THOMPSON (Cavaliers): I thought he was the second-best player on the floor in Game 1 against the Raptors. I love how hard the Canadian plays. He’s a terrific offensive rebounder, active defender and is gaining confidence in his offensive game. Thompson’s versatility as a defender allows the Cavs to gamble on their defensive coverages. I see improvement every time I watch him. He’s a good fit for their team.

2. CAVS’ RUNS: These streaks are so difficult to handle. The Cavs had six in Game 1 where they outscored the Raptors by a combined 51-6. That’s 45 points! Amazing. The Raptors must get off to a good start Wednesday night and play with a lead all game to have a chance. Lineup changes are certainly something to watch for. You have to consider everything you have at your disposal. The Raptors must control the personality and style of the game this evening from start to finish.    

3. WIZARDS VS. CELTICS: You watch so many games over the course of a season and a career and some just jump off the page at you. The Game 2 battle in this series was one of them. It was far from perfect, but the sheer will to win and effort on both sides was remarkable. It was one of those games where even if you lose, like Washington did, you can look in the mirror and recognize you gave it your all and credit and learn from your opponent.     

4. PLAYOFF PACE: Over the years, NBA playoff games tended to have a slower, more physical look to them. When you watch the games this postseason, you can’t help but notice they're fast and wide open. In addition, teams are playing super hard and are totally locked in on their opponent. In an evolving league that features more three-point shots and overall offensive flow, the officials are adapting as well.

5. SPURS: The moment of truth has already arrived in this series for them. They got crushed by the Rockets in Game 1. Houston's pace of play, spacing, three-point shooting and general athleticism gave San Antonio fits. The Spurs looked old and weary for major stretches. This series can still be winnable for San Antonio, but they've got to find a way to slow down the Rockets.