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Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Keys To Defeating Toronto Raptors

By Quenton S. Albertie

Oct 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball as Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) defends during the third quarter at Air Canada Centre. The Cavaliers won 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball as Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) defends during the third quarter at Air Canada Centre. The Cavaliers won 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) defends during the second quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) defends during the second quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

LeBron James Has To Guard DeMar Derozan

DeMar Derozan has been a nearly unstoppable force all season. While averaging 34.0 points per game in a scoring binge that, historically, is only on par with Michael Jordan, what’s most impressive about Derozan’s scoring is how he’s getting those points. Derozan, like a younger Dwyane Wade (or Jordan), is feasting on opposing defenses without being a three-point threat. Derozan is a midrange maestro whose athleticism allows him to attack the rim with similar success. Furthermore, against contested shots this season, Derozan is shooting 46.8 percent with a defender within two feet of him.

In the Cleveland Cavaliers last game against the Toronto Raptors, Derozan scored 42 points. Most of those points came against J.R. Smith, who at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds has the type of body that can match up well with Derozan. However, Smith was unable to impede Derozan’s progress towards the rim after Derozan’s burst past the arc with an explosive first step. While Smith would likely get a chance to redeem himself this game, he’s recovering from a sprained ankle that kept him out of Sunday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets. Against Derozan and the Raptors, he’d be hard pressed to make a defensive impact on a bum foot. Last game, Mike Dunleavy Jr. started in place of Smith rather than Iman Shumpert. If that’s the case, when the game starts

If that’s the case, when the game starts Derozan has to be guarded by LeBron James. James, at 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds has an obvious physical advantage over Derozan and will be able to smother Derozan. Furthemore, while players have shot 6.4 percent less than their average when guarded by James this season, James also holds players to 37.0 percent shooting on shots greater than 15 feet away from the paint. With Derozan’s affinity from long twos, which are most of his jump shots, this will be important. James’ ability to recover and make the block if Derozan beats him to the rim will be important as well.