After Dallas, Toronto continues by offering Cleveland (back-to-back) for a new high-ranking performance, marked by the successful returns of Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes
Back after a ten-game absence due to a groin injury, Pascal Siakam wasted no time in setting Scotiabank Arena alight by scoring his team’s first two baskets, including a sublime fadeaway. The locals aligned a 10-0 concluded by the 3-pointers of Gary Trent Jr and OG Anunoby to create the first gap of the match (21-14).
Darius Garland and Evan Mobley multiplied their efforts to put Cleveland back in the game, and Cedi Osman even managed to equalize twice (36-36). But Toronto quickly picked up the thread, ending the first half with a 14-5 with this time Fred VanVleet in charge, accompanied by Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby (52-43).
Cleveland then gradually let go, between Thaddeus Young’s 2+1, Anunoby’s dunk counter-attacking on a volley serve from Pascal Siakam, and the distant missiles of Juancho Hernangomez, Fred VanVleet and Anunoby to complete the game. third quarter at 80-67 after going 9-0 late in the period.
The deliverance was close and did not take long to intervene, especially when the Anunoby-Trent Jr pair still hit the mark from afar to approach Toronto with a 20-length gap (93-75). A final 3-point step-back from Fred VanVleet followed by a final dunk from Dalano Banton completed the suspense, and the Raptors won 100-88.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The “ghosts” held on. Sneakers in the colors of Cameroon on his feet, Pascal Siakam quickly found his ease in the deep end. He quickly reassured himself with two baskets and was the source of the action of the match with this volley pass for the dunk of OG Anunoby. Scottie Barnes had a little more waste in shooting but is also to be credited with a good return. He also contributed with 5 assists and 3 blocks. A versatility that had been lacking in Toronto.
– The Raptors defense. Toronto had distinguished itself by its aggressiveness, embodied by the Anunoby-Boucher duo during its previous match. This time, it was through his defensive rigor that the Raptors beat Cleveland, limited to 88 points, its lowest total of the season. No doubt physically damaged by their “back-to-back”, the Cavs gradually disappeared on offense. Their 7/38 from afar clearly didn’t help.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ OG Anunoby. The winger confirmed after receiving praise from Luka Doncic for his full game against Dallas. We were treated to some very good OG again last night, aggressive, skilful from afar and fairly fair in his choices.
✅ Pascal Siakam. The Cameroonian winger found the major five almost as if nothing had happened, and he quickly demonstrated that he was back at 100%. 18 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists in 30 minutes, and victory at the end, we have known worse as a “comeback”.
⛔️Donovan Mitchell. We can pass on the 1/11 of Isaac Okoro or the 4/12 of Cedi Osman, we will therefore retain the sad performance of Donovan Mitchell, maintained at 8 points (3/11 in shooting) to finish with the +/- the less good of the Cavs.
THE FOLLOWING
Toronto (11-9): trip to the side of New Orleans for the Raptors this Wednesday (02:00).
Cleveland (13-8): the Cavs will also host the Sixers this Wednesday (1:00 a.m.).
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