With the return of Scottie Barnes, can the Raptors keep pace with the high-flying Cavaliers?
The Cavaliers have a chance to go up 2-0 in the season series against the Raptors.
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (16-1) vs. Toronto Raptors (4-12)
Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse - Cleveland, Ohio
When: 7:30 p.m., Sunday Nov. 24
TV: Fanduel Sports Network Ohio (previously Bally Sports), NBA League Pass
Line: Cavs -12
Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Cavs injury report: Isaac Okoro - QUETIONABLE (ankle), Caris LeVert - OUT (knee), Max Strus - OUT (ankle), Dean Wade - OUT (ankle), JT Thor - OUT (two-way), Emoni Bates - OUT (knee)
Expected Raptors starting lineup: Grady Dick, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Ochai Achbaji, Jakob Poeltl
Raptors injury report: Bruce Brown - OUT (return to competition), Immanuel Quickly - OUT (elbow), Bruno Fernando - QUESTIONABLE (ankle), Kelly Olyny - OUT (back), D.J. Carton - OUT (two-way) Ulrich Chomche - OUT (two-way), Ja’Kobe Walter - OUT (G League)
Fear the Sword will be hosting a live stream watch party for select games this year on Playback. Join me and Tony Pesta as we react to all the action.
It is understood that when the Cavaliers and Raptors share the floor the game could devolve into a rock fight. No matter how many years pass, personnel changes, or even new coaches these games get physical, and the offenses bog down.
That, however, wasn’t the case in the season opener. The Cavaliers won the matchup 136-106. They did not score below 30 in a single quarter and were shooting the leather off the ball. That trend has continued throughout the opening section of the season.
The Raptors offense is rough by most statistical measures. They cannot spread the floor whatsoever, they’re currently dead last in the league in three-point frequency at 30.4%. They also are 22nd in three-point shooting as they’ve connected on 34.4% from beyond the arc. The offense mainly tries to generate looks around the rim. This is not a successful venture as they are 22nd in efficiency around the rim 62.8% despite ranking third in the league in attempts.
That said, the Raptors have been able to put together a brief two-game winning streak with quality victories. After nearly beating the Boston Celtics in overtime, the Raptors defeated the Indiana Pacers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. It appears that the Raptors have found something to build off of after losing 10 of their first 12 games by allowing the offense to run through RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, and Jakob Poeltl. With Barnes recently returning from injury, the Raptors might be finding some answers to their early season woes.
In Wednesday’s win against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Cavaliers displayed their willingness to experiment with their minutes and even their starting five. With the injuries at the wing, the Cavaliers gave the starting nod at the three to rookie Jaylon Tyson. He provided an immediate impact by scoring an efficient 16 points on 7-12 shooting. While this was against a skeleton crew of the Pelicans, it was proof that Tyson had something to offer when the Cavaliers needed to push that button.
The injuries on the wing will make it so the Cavaliers have to offer a variety of looks while they are short-handed. We have seen the team use various players ranging from Sam Merrill getting the starting nod against the Celtics while closing that very game with Georges Niang and Ty Jerome. Atkinson and the staff are willing and ready to give anyone a chance if it fits the matchup.
Against the Raptors, who possess a multitude of tall and athletic wings, the Cavaliers will need to find the right buttons to press. Barring Wade, Okoro, or LeVert returning to the lineup the Cavaliers will need to look toward their depth to help with height discrepancy on the perimeter.
