The Toronto Raptors are currently where the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to get. The team sits at 16-5 and currently holds the top spot in the Eastern Conference with the Atlanta Hawks closing in on them. However, the Cavaliers have already gotten the best of Toronto once this season and aim to beat them once again for the second time in five days.
The Raptors are looking to get back on track after struggling against the Cleveland who is currently hitting their stride. Toronto is currently averaging 113.1 points over their last 10 games having just won in overtime against the Denver Nuggets. However, they put up a season low against the Cleveland in the 105-91 loss. The team shot a season-low 40.7 percent overall while Amir Johnson had 27 points and Kyle Lowry added 22.
Toronto is expecting to be with second-leading scorer DeMar DeRozan who has missed six games with a torn left abductor tendon. The team is coming off a win where they shot 50.6 percent overall, but only went 9 of 33 from beyond the arc. Lowry stepped in for DeRozan, putting up 13 assists to go with his 13 points.
The Raptors are preparing to face a Cleveland team that has won their past seven games, finally showing the chemistry everyone was hoping they would develop. The biggest difference maker for the team has been their defense. The started 5-7 giving up 102.7 points per game, but during the win streak they are allowing just 90.3 points while opponents shoot 42.6 percent.
Several Cavaliers players are coming off big games after a routing of the Brooklyn Nets. Dion Waiters led the team with 26 points overall while Tristan Thompson had 14 points and 12 rebounds after putting up 21 points and 14 rebounds against Toronto on Friday. Meanwhile Kyrie Irving is in need of an improved performance after recording just seven points against the Nets.
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