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Raptors-Cavaliers Preview

Jan 18, 2010 - 7:01 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Toronto (21-20) at Cleveland (31-11), 7:00 p.m. EDT

An 0-2 start had the Cleveland Cavaliers searching for answers. Turns out they just needed some time to settle down.

The Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers look to avenge an early season loss to the Toronto Raptors as they open a three-game homestand Tuesday night.

Cleveland's patience was tested as the club opened the season with a 95-89 loss to Boston on Oct. 27, and a 101-91 defeat at Toronto the next day. Despite getting a triple-double from LeBron James, the Cavaliers (31-11) lost to the Raptors (21-20) for the first time in six games.

James had 23 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds in that contest. He now leads a team that has put the rough start behind it and looks like a title contender.

"The chemistry that we have on the court and off the court is the reason why we're so successful," James said. "We believe in each other, and that's why we do the things we do on the court. We're like a brotherhood on this team."

Tuesday's game is a preview of a potential first-round playoff matchup. Toronto, beginning the second half of its schedule, is in the middle of a tightly contested race for the East's last few playoff spots.

The Cavs follow the matchup with the Raptors by hosting the West-leading Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Cleveland is coming off a 3-2 trip against that conference, capping the stretch with a 102-101 victory over the Clippers on Saturday night in which it survived a 3-point attempt at the buzzer by Baron Davis.

James had 32 points and averaged 36.2 on the trip.

He has led the Cavs to the third-best 42-game start in franchise history. Cleveland is three games worse than the club-record start it had last season.

Toronto has won 10 of 13 as it tries to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

"To get to where we want to go we're going to have to win big games," Raptors forward Chris Bosh said.

Toronto earned a big win Sunday, rolling past Dallas 110-88.

Andrea Bargnani, who had 28 points in this season's first matchup with the Cavs, had 22 versus the Mavericks. The 7-footer averaged 20.8 points and 9.2 rebounds over his last five games.

Raptors guard Marco Belinelli has missed two straight games due to flu-like symptoms and is day to day. He is averaging 8.0 points as a strong contributor off the bench.

Jose Calderon has also been comfortable as a reserve for Toronto after missing a month with a sore hip. The fifth-year point guard averaged 18.0 points in his last two games.

"We are winning and that is the good thing about it," said Calderon, who had one of the Raptors' season-low five turnovers against Dallas. "I am feeling good, feeling healthy and that is the best thing."

Jarrett Jack has taken Calderon's spot in the starting lineup. He had one turnover and eight assists in his last two games.