Dribbles: For Cavs, still not yet time to panic

Random dribbles on the Cavaliers' 105-99 loss to the host Raptors in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday.

1. When it comes to the Cavs, this may be a little more positive than you're expecting. But I believe they're still OK. I believe this series is still their series to lose.

2. Yes, it's tied at 2-all. No, the Cavs haven't looked especially good the past two games. And my oh my, where are Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson?

3. Still, the Raptors have yet to win in Cleveland this season. The next game is in Cleveland. That doesn't mean the Cavs only need to set foot on the court. I kind of get the feeling that's what they thought before Game 3 -- and man, did they ever pay.

4. But the Cavs did figure out some things in Toronto in the second half of Game 4. Namely, they learned they can get back in the game quickly when they really move the ball, hit a couple 3-pointers and score at the rim.

5. The ball movement and shooting was mostly a thing of beauty in the fourth quarter. The defense was not. As well as the Cavs played offensively, they got zero big stops.

6. As I wrote in my instant analysis column, LeBron James played brilliantly in scoring 29 points. And Channing Frye (12 points) was fairly clutch with his 3-point shooting.

7. Kyrie Irving scored 26, but I would characterize his overall performance as just fair. He did make some gutsy shots. He again struggled defensively, though -- as Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry erupted for a game-high 35.

8. Kyrie, Love, Tristan. Those three are playing like it's their first time on this stage. For Love, I guess it actually is, as a shoulder injury kept him out of the Eastern Conference finals last season.

9. Still, these guys have the benefit of playing with James. Unfortunately, none have shared his championship mentality of being better as the stakes get higher. That's really the most disappointing thing when it comes to this team. The young guys are suddenly playing like young guys.

10. All of that said, the Cavs won 57 games. The Raptors won 56. And teams such as the Raptors play much better at home than, say, the Pistons and Hawks do. So the fact this series is tied doesn't need to be a huge shock. Not even Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson swept every series. So let's be realistic.

11. A lot of folks in the social media world, as well as on TV and radio, love to talk about how much more they know than the coach. Frankly, I'm sick of reading/hearing it. I think Tyronn Lue has done a fine job. He's not a huge reason why the Cavs won and he hasn't been to blame when the Cavs lose. He's setting the players up to succeed. And several of them just didn't deliver in Toronto.

12. So what now? I still say Cavs in six. The Raptors are a tough team and they'll be back in the East finals someday, if not next year. But the Cavs played terrible for most of Game 4 and almost won. I don't think the Cavs will play this bad again.