NBA Score: Toronto Raptors Still Cannot Beat LeBron James And Cleveland Cavaliers
Having lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Toronto Raptors were hoping to get a measure of revenge this season by winning a couple of games during their four-game series. It will not change the outcome of the NBA Playoffs, but it would be a moral victory. Unfortunately, for the Raptors, though, that has yet to happen. On Tuesday, Toronto lost to Cleveland by a score of 121-117, as reported by ESPN.
Freezing our @WhiteHouse visit in time forever with @FLOTUS!#MannequinChallenge ?? https://t.co/iX1qaJ8qQQ
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 11, 2016
Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors starting lineup looked a bit different. Head coach Dwane Casey decided to rest DeMarre Carroll for the game. Norman Powell received the start at small forward instead. The 6-foot-8 defensive stud has started all eight games that he has played this season. Carroll has averaged approximately 25 minutes a game.
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are considered the backbone of the Toronto Raptors. The talented guards combined for 54 points, meaning that they did their jobs against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lowry and DeRozan also combined for 11 rebounds, 13 assists, and seven steals.
Toronto Raptors starting center Jonas Valanciunas received more minutes than normal, and he came through with his third solid game in a row. The 24-year-old big man contributed with 14 points and nine rebounds.
Dwane Casey shortened his rotation against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which would be a sign that he was trying really hard to beat a conference rival. Usually, at this point in the NBA regular season, coaches will play as many players as possible to gauge who can help them out when the postseason comes around. Against the Cavaliers, Casey played only four players off the bench.
Patrick Patterson was given 34 minutes off the bench, which is what a lot of starters play. However, he failed to make a difference for the Toronto Raptors. He missed all but one of the six shots that he attempted, including all three from beyond the three-point line. Patterson contributed in other areas of the game, but the Raptors really could have used more offense from their backup power forward.
Fortunately for the Toronto Raptors, they did receive some offense from the bench thanks to Terrance Ross. The swing man provided 18 points by shooting very efficiently. Ross nailed four the seven shots that he attempted from the outside. The veteran effectively cleared the paint for his teammates and forced the Cleveland Cavaliers defense to stay at bay.
The trio of Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Kevin Love have been coming through pretty well for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The chemistry has finally been found, which is a big reason why they were able to win the NBA Championship from the dominant Golden State Warriors last season. Against the Toronto Raptors, the trio had a pretty strong game.
Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Kevin Love combined for 71 points against the Toronto Raptors. Love also had 13 rebounds and three blocks. James had nine rebounds and 14 rebounds, barely missing out on a triple double. NBA legend Oscar Robertson, who was well known for his being able to effortlessly putting up triple doubles, was in the audience to watch James.
Tristan Thompson came through as the fourth star for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 6-foot-11 forward had 15 points and 11 rebounds. On any other team, that would generate more of a headline, but Thompson quietly does his thing behind three superstars.
Veteran power forward Channing Frye had 21 points off the bench. That type of contribution is a big reason why the Cleveland Cavaliers wanted him.
The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers have two more games to play during the regular season. For now, the Cavaliers have the upper hand.
[Featured Image by Jason Miller/Getty Images]
