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Losers of six of seven, the Cavs return home to take on the Toronto Raptors, who have lost six of nine. The game is on ESPN. The Raptors are 34-29 overall and 17-14 on the road. The two previous games between these teams are irrelevant; the first was a one-point Cavs win in early November and the other was won by the Cavs 144-99 when the entire Raptors’ rotation was out with COVID.
The Cavs appear to have caught another break as OG Anunoby is out and All-Star Fred VanVleet is questionable. OG is averaging 17.5 ppg. Between the two of them the Raptors will be missing 39 points, 10 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 3.1 steals if FVV can’t go.
The Raptors’ three remaining starters are Pascal Siakam (21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 48.5% from the field), Gary Trent Jr (17.9 ppg), and Scotty Barnes (14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds). Barnes was the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February, averaging 15.4 pts, 7.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals.
If VanVleet is out Malachi Flynn steps in at point guard. In their last game Flynn had 20 points and 8 assists in 39 minutes. In two of his three games against the Cavs last season Flynn had 18 and 20 points. He’s no VanVleet but I would not underestimate the second year guard. However, he is also a game time decision.
“The team has listed both Fred VanVleet and Malachi Flynn as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. VanVleet, who has missed four straight games, continues to battle a right knee injury, while Flynn has popped up on the injury report with left hamstring soreness, the team says.
Without the two, Toronto's point guard depth starts to get pretty bleak in a hurry. Dalano Banton, who has fallen out of the rotation lately, is the only quasi-point guard left on the roster aside from Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes who can lead the point as point forwards from time to time.”
A pretty bleak point guard situation. Sound familiar?
Trent Jr has six 30-point games and one 42-pointer this year so when he gets hot look out. Last April he scored 44 against the Cavs, going 17-for-19 from the field. It was one of the most impressive shooting performances I’ve ever seen and he did it in our building. Now he returns to the scene of the crime. This guy scares the crap out of me. The Cavs can’t let him get a couple of wide open shots early or he could light them up if he gets in rhythm.
Center Khem Birch (6’9”) started the last game but only played 9 minutes. He was replaced by 6’9” power forwards Chris Boucher, Yuta Wantanabe, and Precious Achiuwa. They have good size coming off the bench. The Raptors bench only scored 28 points on Friday as the Raptors lost 103-97 at home to the 15-48 Orlando Magic.
If the Raptors, missing two of their top four scorers, only managed 97 points against the Magic I don’t see how they break 100 against the Cavs unless Trent has another unconscious game or VanVleet can play.
The Raptors have no one in their normal rotation over 6'9". They rank 26th in defensive rebounding percentage so the Cavs should be able to get a lot of offensive boards.
The Raptors are 19th in scoring but that’s with OG and FVV most of the year. Even with these guys on the floor they are only 27th in effective field goal percentage. However, they are 3rd in both steals and fast break points, so they score a lot off their defense. But VanVleet and OG account for 35% of their steals, so if they're out it's obviously good for the turnover-prone Cavs.
The Raps are 2nd in offensive rebound percentage and 1st in extra scoring chances, so the Cavs really need to get on the defensive glass. The Raptors miss a lot of shots so it’s crucial that the Cavs get those rebounds and prevent too many second chance points. The Raps are not that big but they’re very active on the offensive glass.
The key for the Cavs will be to avoid turnovers and giving up fast break points on offense and rebounding the first missed shot on defense.
The Raptors are 28th in assists and have committed the 3rd fewest turnovers, suggesting they like to go one-on-one. The Cavs need to stay in front of their man and contest shots. If they get beat off the dribble it opens up opportunities for offensive rebounds after the Cavs’ bigs have to switch off and contest the layup. The Raptors have a lot of 6’5” to 6’9” athletic guys who can get to the rim if Allen and Mobley are contesting shots.
Defensively the Raptors are 8th in scoring defense despite being 22nd in effective field goal percentage. They average 9 steals per game which keeps down the opponent's score. They also play at a slower pace, ranking 25th in possessions per game. The Cavs are 29th so this should be a very slow-paced game. I like the Cavs chances if this turns into a half-court contest.
The best individual matchup will probably be Okoro against Siakam, but at 6’8” they may put Lauri or Mobley on him. It will be interesting to see if the Cavs play as much zone as they did against Philly. That might have been a one-time thing against 3-point shooters like Harden, Maxey, Milton, and Niang, but I liked the look of it. They have the length and mobility to play a zone effectively, IMO. Putting Mobley at the top of the key forces the ball to the wings.
The Cavs are in 6th place; the final automatic playoff spot. The Raptors are in 7th, two games back. The Cavs lead the series 2-0, with two to play. The last one is in Toronto. A win tonight clinches the tiebreaker for the Cavs. This is a very important game and the Cavs need to take advantage of the Raptors missing OG and possibly VanVleet and get a W.
If VanVleet and Flynn are both out the Raptors will be down to their third string point guard, and they really don’t have one. My guess is considering the Raptors and Cavs could be competing for the last automatic playoff spot VanVleet and Flynn will play if they possibly can.
By the way, Darius Garland is coming off quite a game. He was only the third NBA player since 1990 to record at least 26 points, 19 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in a game. The others were John Stockton and Russell Westbrook. (I think getting that block was more difficult for him than the 26 points and 19 assists).
The Cavs appear to have caught another break as OG Anunoby is out and All-Star Fred VanVleet is questionable. OG is averaging 17.5 ppg. Between the two of them the Raptors will be missing 39 points, 10 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 3.1 steals if FVV can’t go.
The Raptors’ three remaining starters are Pascal Siakam (21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 48.5% from the field), Gary Trent Jr (17.9 ppg), and Scotty Barnes (14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds). Barnes was the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February, averaging 15.4 pts, 7.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals.
If VanVleet is out Malachi Flynn steps in at point guard. In their last game Flynn had 20 points and 8 assists in 39 minutes. In two of his three games against the Cavs last season Flynn had 18 and 20 points. He’s no VanVleet but I would not underestimate the second year guard. However, he is also a game time decision.
“The team has listed both Fred VanVleet and Malachi Flynn as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. VanVleet, who has missed four straight games, continues to battle a right knee injury, while Flynn has popped up on the injury report with left hamstring soreness, the team says.
Without the two, Toronto's point guard depth starts to get pretty bleak in a hurry. Dalano Banton, who has fallen out of the rotation lately, is the only quasi-point guard left on the roster aside from Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes who can lead the point as point forwards from time to time.”
A pretty bleak point guard situation. Sound familiar?
Trent Jr has six 30-point games and one 42-pointer this year so when he gets hot look out. Last April he scored 44 against the Cavs, going 17-for-19 from the field. It was one of the most impressive shooting performances I’ve ever seen and he did it in our building. Now he returns to the scene of the crime. This guy scares the crap out of me. The Cavs can’t let him get a couple of wide open shots early or he could light them up if he gets in rhythm.
Center Khem Birch (6’9”) started the last game but only played 9 minutes. He was replaced by 6’9” power forwards Chris Boucher, Yuta Wantanabe, and Precious Achiuwa. They have good size coming off the bench. The Raptors bench only scored 28 points on Friday as the Raptors lost 103-97 at home to the 15-48 Orlando Magic.
If the Raptors, missing two of their top four scorers, only managed 97 points against the Magic I don’t see how they break 100 against the Cavs unless Trent has another unconscious game or VanVleet can play.
The Raptors have no one in their normal rotation over 6'9". They rank 26th in defensive rebounding percentage so the Cavs should be able to get a lot of offensive boards.
The Raptors are 19th in scoring but that’s with OG and FVV most of the year. Even with these guys on the floor they are only 27th in effective field goal percentage. However, they are 3rd in both steals and fast break points, so they score a lot off their defense. But VanVleet and OG account for 35% of their steals, so if they're out it's obviously good for the turnover-prone Cavs.
The Raps are 2nd in offensive rebound percentage and 1st in extra scoring chances, so the Cavs really need to get on the defensive glass. The Raptors miss a lot of shots so it’s crucial that the Cavs get those rebounds and prevent too many second chance points. The Raps are not that big but they’re very active on the offensive glass.
The key for the Cavs will be to avoid turnovers and giving up fast break points on offense and rebounding the first missed shot on defense.
The Raptors are 28th in assists and have committed the 3rd fewest turnovers, suggesting they like to go one-on-one. The Cavs need to stay in front of their man and contest shots. If they get beat off the dribble it opens up opportunities for offensive rebounds after the Cavs’ bigs have to switch off and contest the layup. The Raptors have a lot of 6’5” to 6’9” athletic guys who can get to the rim if Allen and Mobley are contesting shots.
Defensively the Raptors are 8th in scoring defense despite being 22nd in effective field goal percentage. They average 9 steals per game which keeps down the opponent's score. They also play at a slower pace, ranking 25th in possessions per game. The Cavs are 29th so this should be a very slow-paced game. I like the Cavs chances if this turns into a half-court contest.
The best individual matchup will probably be Okoro against Siakam, but at 6’8” they may put Lauri or Mobley on him. It will be interesting to see if the Cavs play as much zone as they did against Philly. That might have been a one-time thing against 3-point shooters like Harden, Maxey, Milton, and Niang, but I liked the look of it. They have the length and mobility to play a zone effectively, IMO. Putting Mobley at the top of the key forces the ball to the wings.
The Cavs are in 6th place; the final automatic playoff spot. The Raptors are in 7th, two games back. The Cavs lead the series 2-0, with two to play. The last one is in Toronto. A win tonight clinches the tiebreaker for the Cavs. This is a very important game and the Cavs need to take advantage of the Raptors missing OG and possibly VanVleet and get a W.
If VanVleet and Flynn are both out the Raptors will be down to their third string point guard, and they really don’t have one. My guess is considering the Raptors and Cavs could be competing for the last automatic playoff spot VanVleet and Flynn will play if they possibly can.
By the way, Darius Garland is coming off quite a game. He was only the third NBA player since 1990 to record at least 26 points, 19 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in a game. The others were John Stockton and Russell Westbrook. (I think getting that block was more difficult for him than the 26 points and 19 assists).
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