Final
Cavaliers-Raptors Preview
Nov 25, 2015 - 3:13 AMVideo
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.
- CLEVELAND: 99
TORONTO: 103
Final
Nov 25 9:55 PM - End of 4th Quarter.
Nov 25 9:55 PM - CLEVELAND: 80
TORONTO: 82
End of 3rd
Nov 25 9:24 PM - End of 3rd Quarter.
Nov 25 9:22 PM - CLEVELAND: 49
TORONTO: 49
Halftime
Nov 25 8:39 PM - End of 1st Half.
Nov 25 8:36 PM - End of 1st Quarter.
Nov 25 8:03 PM - CLEVELAND: 25
TORONTO: 25
End of 1st
Nov 25 8:03 PM - Tristan Thompson vs. Bismack Biyombo (Kyle Lowry gains possession)
Nov 25 7:41 PM - CLEVELAND: 0
TORONTO: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Nov 25 7:40 PM
Related News
- Toronto Raptors Reportedly Trade Pascal Siakam to Indiana Pacers Jan 17
- LeBron James Has Been At His Best for Many Birthdays Dec 29
- Toronto Raptors vs Utah Jazz Final: 126-119 — Raptors lose third straight Dec 23
- Cavs beat Bulls 109-95 Dec 23
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls gamethread Dec 23
- Cavs down to 10 healthy players vs. Bulls Dec 23
- Toronto Raptors vs. Utah Jazz: Preview, TV Schedule, Injuries, and More Dec 23
- Raptors vs 76ers Score 121-111: Raptors blow hot start as Embiid continues his streak Dec 22
- TRADE RUMOURS: Knicks interested in Anunoby, Siakam destinations and more Dec 22
- Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers: Preview, TV Schedule, Injuries and more Dec 22
- Watch the Market: Cavaliers vs. Pelicans Dec 22
- Shorthanded Cavs routed by Pelicans 123-104 Dec 21