Revenge Tour: Can the Cavaliers Payback the Raptors?
The Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t had the type of fairy tale season that most were expecting when LeBron James wrote his letter, Kevin Love demanded a trade, Kyrie Irving signed his extension and veterans Mike Miller, James Jones and Shawn Marion all joined the team. Instead it has been more like a rough ride on an off road.
The Cavaliers started the season with a loss the the New York Knicks and suffered some difficult losses to the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors almost a month into the season.
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Since the Toronto game on November 22nd the Cavaliers have not lost. That game the Cavs came out smoking hot, taking a 13 point lead after the first quarter. That lead vanished by halftime and the Raptors opened the flood gates to blow the Cavs out 110 to 93.
Since then a different Cavs team seems to have taken the floor more often than not. They destroyed the Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers while sneaking by the Milwaukee Bucks.
In the middle of that was the first game in a Revenge Tour for the Cavaliers. The Cavs took on the Washington Wizards, the team that 5 days prior put it to the Cavs 91 – 78. This time, at the start of the Revenge Tour, the Cavs destroyed the Wizards, leaving no doubt in a 113 – 87 win.
Then last night the Revenge Tour continued as the Cavs finally got to get back at the Knicks for the terrible loss Opening Night. A very tight game that went down to the wire but the Cavs pulled it out 90 – 87.
Tonight the Revenge Tour takes it’s last stop for a little while (Portland, Utah Denver and San Antonio will have to wait till later this season) as the Cavs take on the Raptors.
The Raptors lead the Eastern Conference with a 15 – 4 record, 4 games up on the Cavs. In their first match-up the Raptors were led by Louis Williams 36 points off the bench as well as 23 from Kyle Lowry and 20 from DeMar DeRozan.
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DeRozan is out for awhile, taking some firepower away from the Raptors. The Raptors have won 2 out of 3 since their star small forward was hurt. Their offense has not missed a beat without him, scoring 123, 122 and 117 in those three games. Their defense on the other hand seems to have been impacted greatly. Since DeRozan has been out the Raptors have given up 3 of their 6 most points of the season, including 129 in an overtime loss to the LA Lakers.
For the Cavaliers perimeter defense will be the key. Keeping Lowry, Williams and Terrance Ross in check should give Cleveland a chance to dominate the game. If LeBron James is able to play aggressively he should be able to take advantage of the DeRozan injury. Kyrie Irving has been playing at a different level and Kevin Love is able to go off at anytime.
The Cavs are playing on the second night of a back to back, with both games coming on the road. While New York and Toronto are not far from each other, teams historically struggle in these situations. The Cavaliers are not trying to just be any team and with the Revenge Tour in full motion want to cap it off with a victory over the Eastern Conference leader.
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What do you expect tonight for the Cavaliers as they try for revenge against the Toronto Raptors?