Happy Sunday, Cavs fans. The Cavaliers host the suddenly tough Raptors tonight. After giving Boston all they could handle in last Saturday’s cup game before falling in overtime, Toronto had impressive wins this week against last year’s playoff team,: Indiana and Minnesota. R.J. Barrett has been on an absolute tear: scoring 95 over his last three games, putting up averages of 32/9/8. Stopping him with Cleveland’s still injured cadre of wings will be key for the Cavs. Speaking of injured wings, this feels like a good week to get the squad healthy, with just one home game (tonight) between last Wednesday and Thanksgiving eve. We can all thank our stars that the Cavs went out to a 16-1 record with a very compressed opening schedule. I hope the gents enjoy being in Cleveland this week and get some much needed rest, time with their families, and time with each other over the Thanksgiving week.
The Cavs will be without the services of Dean Wade, Caris LeVert, and Max Strus tonight, while Isaac Okoro remains questionable. I expect to see more of Jaylen Tyson, who was absolutely outstanding in his starting debut, Wednesday: 16/11/7 with only one turnover in 37 minutes. For Toronto, Bruce Brown, Bruno Fernando, Immanuel Quickley, and Kelly Olynyk will be out.
After sitting on R.J. Barrett’s left hand, stopping Grady Dick and Ochai Agbaji out at at the three point line will the next order of business for Cleveland. The pair are combining for 11 attempts per game and combining to score 30 points. Agbaji has been especially deadly: shooting 63TS%. He camps out in the corner, cuts behind the defense, and attacks closeouts for a dream shot chart for any stat-head.
Barrett will require a different kind of D. Barrett likes to drive in transition and use his ability to get to the rim to set up his counters. If you stop that first option, the left hand drive, and you can get him to stop and pivot for hooks and turnarounds, you’re much better off. Barnes is just 34% from 3-10 feet.
Finally, our old nemesis Scottie Barnes has dropped off a little from last year, posting career shooting lows almost across the board, plus career highs in turnovers and foul rate. He is still formidable, but it’s clear that Evan Mobley is the better player this year. Let’s hope that keeps up tonight. Rounding it out is the always tough Jacob Poeltle and perpetual Nate Smith trade target, Chris Boucher backing Jake up. Both the guys can make Cleveland pay if the Cavs’ bigs over-help: Poeltle at the rim and Boucher from behind the arc. Disciplined D should make the difference in this one. Go Cavs.
