The Toronto Raptors finished 2019 in a way that suits them – like champs. Nick Nurse’s team defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-97 handing their fans a New Year present, closing the year they will all together remember for good.
The guests from Ohio didn’t have too many chances in this event. After a close first period, the Raptors shifted into a higher gear in the second. They would beat the Cavs in that sequence 32-18, and gain a big advantage which stayed there until the end. The result at the half was 69-53, and the guests already surrendered in the third, after seeing that there is no way out of this one.
Kyle Lowry led the way for the hosts scoring 24 points with 8 assists and was constantly giving the pace and the rhythm to his crew. He was in charge during the second quarter, scoring 11 points, and harassing the Cavs defense in various ways. After the game, Tristan Thompson issued a lot of praises for the Raptors point guard,
“He’s their backbone. He keeps this ship running and he’s playing at a high level. Kyle’s a bulldog, he’s going to compete every night. That’s why his teammates always love him.”
Besides Lowry, Serge Ibaka dropped 20 with 10 boards, and the Spanish international is filling the gap created with Siakam’s and Gasol’s absence pretty well in the recent few matches. The two before-mentioned starters, as well as Norman Powell, missed this clash. As for Ibaka, this was his seventh double-double, and all of them took place in December.
Terrence Davis had 19 points a career-high and 4 boards, in another excellent performance off the bench. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 14, OG Anunoby 12, while Fred VanVleet scored 12 with 7 assists and believed it or not, four blocks.
“In today’s game, two guards like that, despite their size, can dominate,” Cavs coach Beilein said about VanVleet and Lowry. “They really dominated the game today.”
The Raptors once again had a solid percentage from downtown, 17-of-39 for 43.6%, and ended the night with 29 assists.
On the other side, Colin Sexton scored 22 points, but without anything adding else noticeable, Cedi Osman had 14, and Kevin Porter Jr. added 13 off the bench.
The Canadian international, Tristan Thompson ended the night with a double-double, 14 points, and 11 boards, missing just one of his six attempts from the field.
The Cavs had a bad shooting night from behind the arc, 10-for-38, and they posted just 5 steals throughout the game. They really couldn’t do anything more, especially after that second period in which they just fell apart.
“We just buried ourselves at the end of that first half,” Beilein said.
Up next, the Cavaliers (10-23) are going back home to face the Charlotte Hornets this Thursday night. Following that, they meet OKC Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves also at home.
As for the Raptors (23-11), Nurse’s team travels to Miami to play against the Heat also on Thursday, then has a clash against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center, one day afterward.
