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Larry Ness
Nov 05 '21, 7:40 PM in 1h
NBA | Cavs vs Raptors
Play on: Raptors -5½ -104 at pinnacle
My free play is on the Tor Raptors at 7:30 ET.
The Toronto Raptors capped a three-game road trip with a 109-100 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday and will try to extend their winning streak to SIX in a row Friday night when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors have won four straight on the road but are 2-3 at home. The Raptors, who are 6-3 to open the season. "We've learned many years that these wins do matter towards the end of the year as you start to fight for playoff position," said guard Fred VanVleet, who scored a season-best 33 points on Wednesday. "So I like where we are, but we have a long, long, long way to go but I think we're headed in the right direction."
The Cleveland Cavaliers are coimng off a 22-50 season and a three-year run of just 60-159 (.274), since LBJ 'flew the coop' for a second time, this time to Hollywood. However, the Cavaliers have won two in a row after a 107-104 home victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, moving above .500 to 5-4. The Cavaliers' win over Portland continued their success against playoff-caliber teams, as they have also defeated the Hawks, Nuggets and Clippers.
Toronto's Pascal Siakam (shoulder surgery) has yet to play this season for Toronto, coming off back-to-back seasons in which he posted 21.4 PPG & 7.2 RPG plus 22.9 PPG & 7.3 RPG. However, OG Anunoby scored a career-best 36 points against the New York Knicks on Monday and leads the team averaging 20.3 PPG, while adding 5.6 RPG. Rookie Scottie Barnes is averaging 18.1 & 8.9 but has missed the last two games (sprained right thumb). However, he has received clearance to play on Friday. VanVleet started the season slowly but his line now reads 18.8-5.2-7.2, Trent has started eight of nine games, adding 15.1 PPG. Achiuwa (8.0 & 8.8) starts at center with Birch (6.6 & 5.7) also getting time.
Lauri Markkanen joined teammate Kevin Love on the health and safety protocol list Wednesday and did not play against Portland. The starting-five was guards Sexton (17.7) and Garland (14.6 & 7.9 APG), rookie PF Mobley (13.3 & 8.2), fill-in SF Wade (2.8 & 2.5) and center Allen (14.4 & 10.7). Veteran PG Rubio comes off the bench to average 11.4 & 6.8 APG. The 'early returns' show an improving Cavalier team but I think Toronto is on the verge of turning back into an elite team in the East, surely once Siakam returns. Lay the points.
Good luck...Larry
Nov 05 '21, 7:40 PM in 1h
NBA | Cavs vs Raptors
Play on: Raptors -5½ -104 at pinnacle
My free play is on the Tor Raptors at 7:30 ET.
The Toronto Raptors capped a three-game road trip with a 109-100 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday and will try to extend their winning streak to SIX in a row Friday night when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors have won four straight on the road but are 2-3 at home. The Raptors, who are 6-3 to open the season. "We've learned many years that these wins do matter towards the end of the year as you start to fight for playoff position," said guard Fred VanVleet, who scored a season-best 33 points on Wednesday. "So I like where we are, but we have a long, long, long way to go but I think we're headed in the right direction."
The Cleveland Cavaliers are coimng off a 22-50 season and a three-year run of just 60-159 (.274), since LBJ 'flew the coop' for a second time, this time to Hollywood. However, the Cavaliers have won two in a row after a 107-104 home victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, moving above .500 to 5-4. The Cavaliers' win over Portland continued their success against playoff-caliber teams, as they have also defeated the Hawks, Nuggets and Clippers.
Toronto's Pascal Siakam (shoulder surgery) has yet to play this season for Toronto, coming off back-to-back seasons in which he posted 21.4 PPG & 7.2 RPG plus 22.9 PPG & 7.3 RPG. However, OG Anunoby scored a career-best 36 points against the New York Knicks on Monday and leads the team averaging 20.3 PPG, while adding 5.6 RPG. Rookie Scottie Barnes is averaging 18.1 & 8.9 but has missed the last two games (sprained right thumb). However, he has received clearance to play on Friday. VanVleet started the season slowly but his line now reads 18.8-5.2-7.2, Trent has started eight of nine games, adding 15.1 PPG. Achiuwa (8.0 & 8.8) starts at center with Birch (6.6 & 5.7) also getting time.
Lauri Markkanen joined teammate Kevin Love on the health and safety protocol list Wednesday and did not play against Portland. The starting-five was guards Sexton (17.7) and Garland (14.6 & 7.9 APG), rookie PF Mobley (13.3 & 8.2), fill-in SF Wade (2.8 & 2.5) and center Allen (14.4 & 10.7). Veteran PG Rubio comes off the bench to average 11.4 & 6.8 APG. The 'early returns' show an improving Cavalier team but I think Toronto is on the verge of turning back into an elite team in the East, surely once Siakam returns. Lay the points.
Good luck...Larry
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