What To Expect In Tonight’s Raptors-Cavaliers Matchup

This past Saturday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their second consecutive game, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers by a final score of 121-115.

Tonight, the Wine and Gold will host the Toronto Raptors in the third of their five-game homestand.

Here are four things to expect in tonight’s matchup.

1. Allen on the Attack

Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has been playing arguably his best basketball of the season over the past week.

If you take away a four-point, four-rebound performance against the Miami Heat, he has averaged 20.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in Cleveland’s other three games dating back to this past Sunday.

2. 2021-22 Rookie of the Year Battle

Raptors forward Scottie Barnes won the 2021-22 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award, with Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley finishing as runner-up.

This season, Barnes is averaging 19.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, while Mobley is averaging 16.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.6 blocks per contest.

3. More Cleveland Threes

After making 12.6 three-pointers per game in their first five contests this season, the Cavaliers have made just 10.2 three-pointers per game in their last six contests.

Cleveland has made just nine three-pointers as a team in four of its last six games.

4. Raptors Sharing the Ball

Toronto is averaging 28.8 assists per game this season, which ranks second in the NBA.

Three different Raptors players are averaging at least five assists per game this season: Dennis Schröder (6.6), Barnes (5.8), and Pascal Siakam (5.3).