Serge Ibaka, Kevin Love, 2017 NBA Playoffs
Apr 22, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) shoots as Milwaukee Bucks forward Thon Maker (7) defends during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. USA TODAY Sports / Jeff Hanisch

The Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31) and Toronto Raptors (51-31) will resume their postseason rivalry with Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semi-finals series on Monday. A year before, the Cavs swept their way through the first two round rounds before dropping two games to the Raptors in a hard-fought conference finals series.

This year, the Raptors are once again expected to push the Cavs to the limit, especially after adding Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker to the roster before February’s NBA Trade Deadline. Kevin Love, Cleveland's starting power forward, acknowledges his team would have to make adjustments on the defensive end to cope with Ibaka.

"(Adding Ibaka gives Toronto) a different dynamic. Definitely shooters with both him and (Patrick) Patterson out there. He brings a ton of energy. Played really well in Round 1, so he just gives them a whole different look and a guy who has a ton of playoff experience coming from Oklahoma City. Obviously getting traded from Orlando, but all his playoff experience being there and playing in a lot of big games. He really helps them," Love said of the new-look Raptors team after Cleveland's practice session Saturday, via ESPN.

Cavs vs Raptors: Can Toronto pull off a major upset?

Though very few analysts believe the Raptors can beat the reigning NBA champions in a seven-game series, there are many who feel Cleveland's recent woes on defence will give Kyle Lowry, DeMar Derozan & Co. plenty of ammunition to upset the apple-cart. The Cavs beat the Raptors 3-1 in their regular-season series but only one of those games featured Ibaka. LeBron James, who went up against a young Ibaka during the 2012 NBA Finals, realises the threat posed by the defensive-minded stretch-4.

"Adds a veteran, for one, a guy that has experience, Finals experience as well. And also a guy who can stretch the floor and create, also protect the rim at times. It definitely helped them out, was a good piece for them," James said of Ibaka, who averaged 12.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.3 blocks during Toronto's first-round series victory against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 2017 NBA Playoffs rolls on Sunday with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals between the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards followed by Game 7 of the first-round series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz. Odds makers expect Cleveland, Boston, Golden State and San Antonio to reach the conference finals.