The Toronto Raptors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-109 to post their 9th straight win, and indicate that they might be on the run, which will secure them the second place in the Eastern Conference.
However, the Raps had to work hard to win this one, because Cleveland didn’t back down all the way until the end. Even though Toronto had a 12-point lead coming into the final period, the Cavs were in the position to take this contest.
On three occasions, they were one point away from leveling the score. The last time they were in such a position, Darius Garland missed his second free throw, which could have tied the result at 105-all, and it turned out to be the ultimate chance for the Cavs to get something out of this contest.
“It’s something we can build on, but it is also very disappointing that we lost. We don’t go out there trying to lose, we want to win every game when we step on that court in between those lines,” said their coach John Beilein.
His boys were close throughout the majority of the event. What happened to be lethal for them was the finish of the third period, once Toronto made an 11-1 run to close that sequence.
Even though the Cavs fought back, the advantage created during these five minutes eventually saved the Raptors. Nick Nurse didn’t have any trouble admitting that the hosts could have won this one too, and that it wouldn’t be unfair.
“That was anybody’s game from start to finish, to be honest,” Nurse said. “You’ve just got to grind it out and find a way.”
Cleveland had more rebounds, 52-37, but the home team also recorded more turnovers, 23-14. Kevin Love and Collin Sexton scored 23 points each, with the note that Love’s three-point shooting was 6-for-9. Garland added 16 buckets, while Lary Nance Jr. scored 13 with 9 boards. Kevin Porter Jr. also had 13 points.
The Canadian international Tristan Thompson had two points and 12 rebounds.
On the other side, the Raptors had Serge Ibaka with 26 points, who was also shooting 10-for-14. Kyle Lowry had 23, with 5 boards and assists and four steals. Norman Powell contributed by scoring 16 off the bench.
Pascal Siakam ended the night with 19 buckets. Coach Beilein praised the Raptors’ forward, saying that his progress is remarkable.
“He shows shades of Durant-like stuff out there at that size,” Beilein said. ” He can pass the ball. He defends. He’s doing a lot of everything.”
The Raptors are now 34-14 and are occupying the second spot in the East 7.5 games behind the Bucks, but with a game and a half ahead of the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. This might be the part of the season when they create a gap between them and the rest of the team, which would later secure them the No.2 spot and the home-court advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Toronto heads for Detroit to face the Pistons already this Friday night. As for the Cavs (13-36), they host the struggling Warriors on Saturday night.
