Powell says Raptors playing too soft vs. Cavs: 'It stops tonight'

The Toronto Raptors can't guarantee victory when when they try to climb out of an 0-2 hole Friday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the team seems convinced it will at least pose a stiffer challenge for LeBron James and co.

"We can't allow that type of freedom - that type of (comfort) - with him or any of their players," swingman Norman Powell said Friday when asked about James' now viral ball-spinning, stepback 3-pointer over Serge Ibaka in Game 2.

"Just to be able to spin the ball like that. It's a little disrespectful. It shows us that we're playing too soft, and that we need to come out with a mentality today, with physicality, force on both ends, and say 'you're not going to get anything easy.' It shouldn't have happened. We can't let that type of stuff happen. It stops tonight."

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The Raptors entered the Eastern Conference semifinals seemingly better equipped to match up with James' Cavaliers than they were a year ago - when Cleveland won a rather lopsided, six-game, East Final. However, Toronto dropped the first two games in Cleveland this week by a combined 33 points, with James averaging 37 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and 1.5 blocks on an effective field-goal percentage of 62.4.

Adding insult to injury, the basketball world has spent much of the week debating James' respect level for the Raptors, thanks to an improvised moment with a concessions woman during Game 1 and the aforementioned demoralization of Ibaka in Game 2.

The Raptors are 4-3 against the Cavs in Toronto over the past two seasons (including playoffs), but have lost three straight home games against Cleveland, including last May's season-ending Game 6.