Max Strus and Sam Merrill are in.

Keon Ellis might be out.

Jarrett Allen changed the narrative.

Kenny Atkinson is not afraid to ride the wave.

This is what we know after the Cavs advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals by beating the Raptors 114 – 102 on Sunday evening in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference’s 1st Round.

Max and Merrill make their mark

Reserves Max Strus and Sam Merrill are being relied upon to be difference makers off the bench for Kenny Atkinson’s squad. In Sunday’s decisive Game 7 win, the pair combined for 25 points (including five three pointers), 11 boards and seven assists. Strus was a team-best +20 and Merrill had the Cavaliers’ third best +/- +16.

Throughout the series, Merrill led Cleveland’s reserves in minutes per game (20.2). Strus (25) was higher, but he started two games against the Raptors.…