Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: 5 takeaways from 106-95 win in Cleveland

By Paul Taylor

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball as Rodney Hood #1 and George Hill #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defend during the second half of the NBA season opener at Scotiabank Arena on October 17, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball as Rodney Hood #1 and George Hill #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defend during the second half of the NBA season opener at Scotiabank Arena on October 17, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 12: Cleveland Cavaliers fans react as they watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors during a watch party at The Quicken Loans Arena on June 12, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. For the second year in a row Cleveland trailed Golden State 3-1 in the best of seven series but were defeated 129-120 in Game 5. (Photo by Angelo Merendino/Getty Images) /

4) A run-of-the-mill win

On Saturday night, we were once again reminded how easy it is to feel sorry for Cleveland sports fans. With the King gone, the Cavaliers have become arguably the worst team in the NBA.

As such, it was no surprise Quicken Loans Arena was almost like a morgue at times. And this lack of energy and excitement seemed to rub off on the visitors.

Yes, not having Lowry impacted the Raptors’ offence. However, there was still something run-of-the-mill and laboured about the way the team played.

Because of this, the Cavaliers were able to keep the game much closer than it should have been. At the same time, you never truly believed the Raptors were in danger.

From the Cavaliers’ perspective, the absence of Kevin Love doesn’t help. (He has only played four games this season, and is not expected back until January at the earliest.) About the only player who came out of the game with any really credence was one of Canada’s own, Tristan Thompson.

Thompson recently grabbed a career-high 22 boards against the Houston Rockets, and his new confidence level was evident on Saturday night, despite the dearth of quality around him. He had a game-high 19 boards against the Raptors, while also scoring 18 points and adding three dimes.

Ultimately though, it wasn’t enough for the Cavaliers. The main thing for the Raptors to take away from the game, is to never just go through the motions against any opponent, no matter how poor they may be.

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