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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 13, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kay Felder (20) passes against Toronto Raptors guard Drew Crawford (11) and center Lucas Nogueira (92) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kay Felder (20) passes against Toronto Raptors guard Drew Crawford (11) and center Lucas Nogueira (92) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Continuing To Insert Kay Felder At The End Of 1Q

After the Cleveland Cavaliers contest against the Charlotte Hornets, Kay Felder had been sighted on the floor of the Cleveland Cavaliers three times this season. In each of those appearances, Felder was inserted at the end of the quarter. In each of those games, Felder was inserted at the end of the first quarter. This isn’t a coincidence, obviously, but a strategy. The strategy is to get the ball in the next best ball-handler’s hands when Kyrie Irving isn’t on the court. While this not only puts the ball in a players hands who can consistently penetrate the lane and keep the Cavaliers drive-and-kick operation alive and kicking, it allows the Cavaliers to weaponize James at the end of the first quarter so that he can score after being the Cavaliers primary facilitator to start the contest.

This has also prevented the Cleveland Cavaliers from being an offense entirely predicated on drive-and-kicks, as they were when James and Shumpert operated as the point guard with the second unit. Felder is a player who may not always be efficient but is sure to provide exhilirating and exciting plays as he attempts to get to the rim.

Against the Toronto Raptors, Felder will be valuable. Not only can Felder break down Kyle Lowry or Cory Joseph off-the-dribble in ways Shumpert can’t as he penetrates into the lane, his ability to get to the rim can give the Raptors centers a tough decision. If Kevin Love or Channing Frye is in the game, do they want to concede the three to contest Felder’s shot at the rim? If Tristan Thompson is in the game, are they willing to take an eye off of Thompson in order to contest Felder’s shot. Thompson may receive a wrap-around pass, gather the offensive rebound and put it back, or pass the ball back out. No matter what the decision, it’s all set up from Felder’s ability as a ball-handler and floor general.