CLEVELAND — LeBron James once stood in Kyle Lowry’s sneakers.

Back in 2007, James, with a much thicker hairline and more hops than he has today, made his first appearance in the Eastern Conference finals and carried the Cavaliers past Detroit and into the NBA Finals for the first time. Nine years, five straight Finals appearances, four MVP awards and two championship rings later, James is again on the doorstep of the league’s showcase event.

It’s all new to Lowry, one of Toronto’s All-Star guards, and the Raptors.

Experience is just one advantage the Cavs will enjoy when they open the East finals tonight against the Raptors, who have scratched their way through two Game 7s in this postseason and are on their deepest playoff run.

And although the Cavs are recharged following a nine-day break between playoff series and have been in this spot before, James doesn’t think his or Cleveland’s postseason resume gives them any edge.

“It’s not an advantage,” James said after practice Monday. “They’re here for a reason. You got to go out and play. They also played two seven-game series and we didn’t. So they can have the upper edge on that.”