Final
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Raptors and Cavs meet north of the border

Jan 4, 2012 - 4:52 PM (Sports Network) - The Toronto Raptors aim for back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight from Air Canada Centre.

Toronto ended a three-game losing streak with a 90-85 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday in the finale of a three-game road trip (1-2) at Madison Square Garden. Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan each scored 21 points to lead the Raptors, who almost blew a 51-34 lead at halftime.

"We didn't let their run get to us," DeRozan told the team's official website. "The last couple of games you know teams made runs on us and we let it get to us and we kind of broke down on the defensive end. So tonight we didn't let that happen."

Jose Calderon added nine points and 12 assists in a winning cause. The Raptors will also host New Jersey on this quick homestand and lost their only game up north on Dec. 28 versus Indiana.

Cleveland has won two in a row and three of four games since losing its season opener and will kick off a seven-game road trip tonight.

The Cavs just handed Charlotte a 115-101 setback on Tuesday, as rookie and No. 1 overall pick Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and dished out six assists. Antawn Jamison had 19 points and Tristan Thompson scored 16 off the bench. Ramon Sessions had a season-high nine assists and 11 points in a reserve role.

"I'm a little more comfortable with the offense," said Irving, "and I think that can be attributed to becoming closer with [my teammates]."

The Cavaliers moved above the .500 mark for the first time since Nov. 9, 2010, when they were 4-3. They won't play again at Quicken Loans Arena until Jan. 17 versus the Golden State Warriors.

Big man Samardo Samuels did not travel with the Cavs to Toronto last night due to a short-term Visa/Passport situation and is expected to re-join the team in Minnesota on Friday.

Toronto won the first meeting with Cleveland, 104-96, on Dec. 26 at the Q and has taken three of the last four meetings in this series. DeRozan and Calderon each had 15 points to lead seven players in double figures.