11/25 Cavaliers (11-3) @ Raptors (9-6)

[Lebron23]

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/1/d/7/600_434425047.jpeg

http://cdn.solecollector.com/media/up/2015/01/images/nba-sole-watch-power-rankings-january-18-2015-lebron-james.jpg


http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Toronto+Raptors+v+Cleveland+Cavaliers+LBeDJfPzgtRl .jpg

http://thumb.usatodaysportsimages.com/image/thumb/540-390nw/8420884.jpg

[Sakkreth]

Ahh no JV makes it soooooo much worse :(

[Legends66NBA7]

http://www.nba.com/games/20151125/CLETOR/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nba:scoreboard


http://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/raptors/sites/default/files/styles/story_main_photo/public/5tvkbhlrj5c06e07_iyctleaaeghlxzi1o5i0hxkmaa.png

http://mlse.digital/raptors/projectedlineups-112515.jpg


The Toronto Raptors have spent less time at home than any NBA team so far, and as Dwane Casey and DeMarre Carroll pointed out, their reward for returning from their latest trip looks like another difficult test.

Kyle Lowry was a little bit more defiant when discussing Wednesday night's visit from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"It's a very good litmus test," Casey said. "They're playing good basketball right now. It seems like it's another road game where you're in town and then back out of town, but it's what the schedule gives us and we have to come prepared."

Casey had his coachspeak hat on after practice Tuesday as Toronto (9-6) prepared for just its fifth home game, reminding the media that he's told his players "we're not playing against the LeBron Cavaliers. We're playing against the Cleveland Cavaliers."

Carroll, who was physical with James while playing for Atlanta in last season's conference finals, echoed his coach's message.

"It's a great opportunity to play them," Carroll said, referring to James as the best player in the world. "I think they're the best team in the East right now. If you can't get up for this game, you're not a real NBA player."

Toronto's point guard had other ideas when approached with the idea that Wednesday's game would give the Raptors -- who beat both Los Angeles teams to close their latest road trip at 2/3 -- an idea of where they stack up in the East.

"We just go out there and do our jobs," Lowry said. "We don't measure ourselves against anyone."

Perhaps Lowry should reconsider since the Cavaliers (11-3) averaged 110 points in winning the final three meetings last season behind James' 29.3 points and 11.3 assists per game.

Cleveland was 12-0 last season when James had more than 10 assists, and they're 3-0 when that unfolds after the four-time MVP had 13 in Monday's 117-103 win over Orlando.

Three of James' assists went to Kevin Love, whose 34 points were his most in a Cavaliers uniform. Love is shooting 53.8 percent overall on passes he gets from James and 47.1 percent from 3-point range, while he's connecting on just 41.7 percent and 30.7 percent from 3 on passes from anyone else.

"He's done it his whole career," Love said of James, who joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to rank in the top 25 in career points and assists. "One of the, if not the most, unselfish superstars. It doesn't surprise me. He goes out there every night, shares the ball and finds myself and everybody else."

James isn't the only one finding his teammates. Matthew Dellavedova has 25 assists and three turnovers in the Cavaliers' three straight wins while starting for Mo Williams, who is dealing with an ankle injury. It's unclear if Williams will play Wednesday or if Dellavedova, who's dealing with a leg issue himself, will again get the call.

The onus to score for the Raptors is now even more on the backcourt of Lowry and DeMar DeRozan after Jonas Valanciunas fractured his left hand in the second-to-last game of the trip. But it was Carroll (21 points) and Luis Scola (20) who stepped up in Sunday's 91-80 win over the Clippers, while Bismack Biyombo started at center and finished with 14 rebounds.

Casey said he anticipates playing small more frequently with Valanciunas out, which will likely include James Johnson getting time at center. That shouldn't be too much of a hindrance against Cleveland, which is splitting its center minutes between Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao with Timofey Mozgov out with a shoulder injury.

James has a personal nine-game winning streak in Toronto dating to his first stint with the Cavaliers.

[Legends66NBA7]

Ahh no JV makes it soooooo much worse :(

Cleveland doesn't have Irving, Mozgov, Shumpert, and probably Williams too.

Toronto not having JV hurts, but Cleveland is worse off at the moment.

[Sakkreth]

Cleveland doesn't have Irving, Mozgov, Shumpert, and probably Williams too.

Toronto not having JV hurts, but Cleveland is worse off at the moment.

Yes but JV vs Cavs is fun to watch.

[kwajo]

Raps debut the best jerseys in the league tonight :pimp:

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/ySD3jt6etAShL2G5uZQYEw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztxPTg1O3c9NjMw/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2015-08-04/a38124b0-3acb-11e5-9fd6-f348010340ef_alternate2-details.png

[SexSymbol]

Cavs win big

[Kungfro]

These are the shoes Demar will be rocking tonight.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img911/38/iSW4Iu.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img910/4473/haK0l4.jpg

[Legends66NBA7]

^Hope he performs well in them. :confusedshrug:

[red1]

dis gon be good. leggo raps

[ISHGoat]

Have 1200 on this game. 1000 on raps ML to win 1340. 200 on raps +3.

Easiest money ever.

[Akrazotile]

Lord. East is such a BLOODBATH.

[Uncle Drew]

Drake night? :oldlol:

God I hope we win by 50.

[Legends66NBA7]

Don't like tthe jerseys.

[J Shuttlesworth]

Cavs standing their waiting for the raps to come out on the floor, dont even gaf about the cheerleaders :lol Most alpha team ever

[Legends66NBA7]

Damn, they are playing soft.

[Uncle Drew]

Worst max contract player.

[Legends66NBA7]

Good loss coming up.

[FKAri]

Worst max contract player.

who?

[VengefulAngel]

who?

He's referring to people talking about Kevin Love being the worst max contract player, obviously being sarcastic.

[k0kakw0rld]

Kevin Love :applause: but Scola schooling him also :oldlol:

[Legends66NBA7]

Does our coaching staff ever run a practice scrimmage ?

Read any scouting report on Cleveland ?

[Legends66NBA7]

He's referring to people talking about Kevin Love being the worst max contract player, obviously being sarcastic.

There isn't people saying that, though.

It was Fudge making a thread and then few people agreeing. Nobody actually believes it.

[Legends66NBA7]

Lowry to the locker room ?

Well, there's go any hope. It was kinda over when the game started.

[avonbarksdale]

scola cooking

[Naero]

Does our coaching staff ever run a practice scrimmage ?

Read any scouting report on Cleveland ?

Never have faith in the coaching staff when it's headed by Dwayne Casey... His teams always start off ablaze

[Legends66NBA7]

Patterson is so scared to shoot a 3. The hell.

[Naero]

The referees are hyper-liberal with the amount of contact at play... At least it means that Cleveland's flopping will be rewardless for now.

[Legends66NBA7]

I wish DeMar was a low-post PF. Guy can do work inside when he puts his mind to it.

[Sakkreth]

Patterson is so scared to shoot a 3. The hell.
What's the point of having him on the floor if he doesn't take open 3s ? :facepalm

[SugarHill]

eat drake's ass night alie

[Sakkreth]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdKcyxmXzBw

[Legends66NBA7]

What's the point of having him on the floor if he doesn't take open 3s ? :facepalm

He at least took that last one when he was wide open, finally.

[JT123]

Drake has so much class

[PsychoBe]

anyone else hate the raptors commentators?

[SugarHill]

anyone else hate the raptors commentators?
why

[Legends66NBA7]

Ugh, yeah... if Lowry's injured, what's the point of having him out there ?

Not like ther perimeter defense is better with him on there.

[PsychoBe]

why

despite being one of the few objective commentators they just try too hard. so corny and cringe.

[Legends66NBA7]

Ouch, that looked bad on the replay.

[HenryGarfunkle]

Lowry injured?

Demar needs to take over, he has all the tools to be as good as jordan was

[SugarHill]

despite being one of the few objective commentators they just try too hard. so corny and cringe.
agreed completely. incredibly accurate

[Legends66NBA7]

Not sure why Jack is bringing up the defense when the opposing team doesn't have 3 regular rotation players.

Toronto's offense is better than its defense, not that the defense hasn't improved since last year.

[RedBlackAttack]

The officials are allowing a lot of contact by both teams and then calling some weird sh!t. Consistently bad so far tonight.

[Legends66NBA7]

DeRozan needs to drive the ball... let him create.

[SugarHill]

is there another big in the league that lowry can bully in the paint than love?

[Legends66NBA7]

If both teams were full strength, Toronto would have probably lost the game by 20+.

[Legends66NBA7]

Fugazi Luke Sywalker... at least the Storm trooper looks nice.

[SugarHill]

legends, you heard about this poker dude?

[Legends66NBA7]

legends, you heard about this poker dude?

Yes, Daniel is pretty good player.

[SugarHill]

lebron with a very dumbass possession

[RedBlackAttack]

That was a good block by TT. Shouldn't have counted.

[ISHGoat]

How is that not Raptors ball?

[ArbitraryWater]

How is that not Raptors ball?

you really put 1 G on this game?

[Legends66NBA7]

lebron with a very dumbass possession

Eh, he could have probably made it given his ability.

[RedBlackAttack]

Lowry. :oldlol:

That was some natural shooting motion there.

[Legends66NBA7]

I don't think I've ever seen DeMar ice his knee(s). Hope it's not a big deal.

[ArbitraryWater]

you think they ignoring the female ref? hope not

[RedBlackAttack]

This feels like it might be a loss for the Cavs. Lowry playing like it is Game 7 of the Finals and the Cavs are really missing Timo's rim protection and Kyrie's ball handling. This Williams-Cunningham-JR guard rotation is not good.

[ISHGoat]

How was that not 3 FTs?

[Legends66NBA7]

Missed too many free throws for a game like this.

[Legends66NBA7]

Patterson and Ross are soft ass dudes.

[RedBlackAttack]

Patterson and Ross are soft ass dudes.
Cunningham attacking the rim with the charmin as well.

[ArbitraryWater]

Cunningham you ****

[SugarHill]

I saw that going in. i willed it

[ArbitraryWater]

Mo Gotti!

[Trollsmasher]

mo:applause:

[Naero]

The distance by Mo Williams. :eek:

[Legends66NBA7]

Mo, nice.


Could be a momentum swinger right there.

[Beebo]

Lowry's locked in tonight. :applause:

[SugarHill]

had no idea skinny lousy was leading the league in steals

[Kvnzhangyay]

Cavs defense is horrible :lol

[Legends66NBA7]

Keep in mind, James and Love left at the same time. They looked in control whenever both were on the court. It's only a 2 point lead with them out.

[RedBlackAttack]

Cavs defense is horrible :lol
You'll have that when the team's two best perimeter defenders and rim protector aren't playing. They actually look a lot like they did last year before the trade.

[Legends66NBA7]

Again, I don't know why James Johnson doesn't play. I know Casey hates him but geez, he can guard 2-3-4, even PG's.

He could at least have done a better job than Patterson.

[Legends66NBA7]

Cavs defense is horrible :lol

Horrible ?

Don't know about that, they haven't had many breakdowns.

[ArbitraryWater]

mm i like the female

[rapker]

terrible call on the charge

[Naero]

Lauren Holtkamp always makes questionable calls in the favor of Cleveland. :facepalm

[Legends66NBA7]

Krampus will do good in it's opening week and then fade when Star Wars and co...comes out.

[Naero]

Offensively horrible quarter for both teams.

[avonbarksdale]

power and1

[Beebo]

Did anyone see that ref slip? :lol

[Legends66NBA7]

Camera guy scoping out another mop lady.

[SugarHill]

both teams want to lose so bad

[Mr. Jabbar]

both teams want to lose so bad

but lebron wants it moar :lol :lol

[SugarHill]

damn bismack

[24-Inch_Chrome]

Bitchsmack!

[SugarHill]

damn 2 to go..double digits

raps will find a way to lose

[SugarHill]

the bitchsmack game

[avonbarksdale]

great d on bismac

[Kungfro]

Cleveland just watching that play happen.

[Keno]

raps playing like its game 7 of finals, nothing to see here. enjoy this victory in november.

[Funktion]

Bran shooting like Kobe

[PsychoBe]

raps playing like its game 7 of finals, nothing to see here. enjoy this victory in november.

so salt :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[rapker]

that DPOY level defense though.. here is a lane for you Biyombo, go in the paint please.

[Legends66NBA7]

Biyombo shitting up the critics in this 4th.

[Mr. Jabbar]

raps playing like its game 7 of finals, nothing to see here. enjoy this victory in november.


http://www.petesteel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Salt-Danger-1847217.jpg

[Indian guy]

Raptors' big who's protecting the paint in this game has flat out won them the game.

[Gus Hemmingway]

I've been telling you people, Dellavedova is the KEY.

[avonbarksdale]

WOW

[SugarHill]

lol jr bailing out mo and bron's wack attempts at dribbling

[rapker]

you like the paint? Please come again biyombo!!!

[SugarHill]

jr's like im getting this 3 regardless

[rapker]

that non-factor assist though

[avonbarksdale]

awesome win

[Legends66NBA7]

Raptors' big who's protecting the paint in this game has flat out won them the game.

Yeah, clutch on both ends of the floor.

[Magic 32]

raps playing like its game 7 of finals, nothing to see here. enjoy this victory in november.

Right, because Lebron is Mr. June.

[Beebo]

This is how you close a game. :pimp:

[Mr. Jabbar]

Right, because Lebron is Mr. June.

DAMN.

set
match
point.

[Legends66NBA7]

awesome win

Not to be a negative Nancy, but Cleveland was missing 3 key players vs Toronto missing 1 key player.

Would have been an awesome if they beat a healthy Cleveland team.

[konex]

Gotta love a defensive-minded big with a motor like Biyombo. When surrounded by talent, he can be very valuable playing his role

[Legends66NBA7]

Raptors win at home vs a LeBron James lead team since DeMar DeRozan's rookie debut.

[Mr. Jabbar]

Raptors win at home vs a LeBron James lead team since DeMar DeRozan's rookie debut.

They stay winless. This was against Love-led team

[ArbitraryWater]

DAMN.

set
match
point.

you mean game set match?

[Gus Hemmingway]

Not to be a negative Nancy, but Cleveland was missing 3 key players vs Toronto missing 1 key player.

Would have been an awesome if they beat a healthy Cleveland team.

4


Mozgov
Irving
Shump
Delly

[Legends66NBA7]

4


Mozgov
Irving
Shump
Delly

True, forgot about Delly.

[Indian guy]

I've been telling you people, Dellavedova is the KEY.

Mo Williams is so bad defensively that he's probably Cleveland's 4th best guard behind Kyrie, Shumpert and Delly.

[Gus Hemmingway]

Mo Williams is so bad defensively that he's probably Cleveland's 4th best guard behind Kyrie, Shumpert and Delly.
Matthew Dellavedova

Leading all NBA Bench players in Assists

Leading the league in Assists/Turnover ratio

He is +10 on the floor

Has an offensive rating of 118.5, which is #14 in the entire NBA

It gets better......

While Delly is on the court, the Cavs have a 93DRTG. WHAT THE ****.:eek:

Lineups with the best Net Ratings thus far:
(1) 71.5 Dellavedova, James, Love, Thompson, Mo
(2) 61.8 Barnes, Curry, Green, Iguodala, Thompson

When the Cavaliers won, Delly averages 49%fg.
When they've lost he averages 23%fg
Him shooting good impacts the game THAT much.

[avonbarksdale]

Not to be a negative Nancy, but Cleveland was missing 3 key players vs Toronto missing 1 key player.

Would have been an awesome if they beat a healthy Cleveland team.


well they didnt play a healthy team so idk what you want

[Twiens]

Solid team win, Biyombo was a monster!!

[Hey Yo]

you mean game set match?
:roll:

[Legends66NBA7]

well they didnt play a healthy team so idk what you want

Just putting higher standards for them. They played well in the 2nd half, I hope they continue it that way.

[red1]

fun game


Solid team win, Biyombo was a monster!!
bismack da gawd!!

[kamil]

4


Mozgov
Irving
Shump
Delly

Delly is out? Did someone go after his knees for karma?

[VeeCee15]

been thinking it since fist game is out..JV is BAD for the raptors
he's slow, can't play d and is a black hole.

Biz is better for the raptors than JV