"The Raptors are coming into tonight facing tough competition, as the times have been good lately, beating mostly lower-tier teams, but this game gives Toronto a chance to make a statement if they can pull off a win against the Cavs. Toronto has actually already played the Cavaliers two times in this young NBA season and pulled off a win both times, so they'll look to keep their good run going against one of the contenders of the East."
"Sandro Mamukelashvili has been proving everyone why he was the bargain of the summer in free agency, as he's really stepped his game up to another level lately. Gradey Dick and Ja'Kobe Walter have both been inconsistent on the offensive side of the ball, but in their previous outing against Brooklyn, both shot efficiently well and gave Toronto an offensive boost."
Toronto holds a 12-5 record and sits second in the Eastern Conference with a seven-game winning streak and a +6.6 net rating. Offensive rating (119.2) ranks fifth while defensive rating (112.6) ranks 11th. Toronto beat Cleveland twice earlier this season and enters the matchup with Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett listed on the injury report. The bench has contributed significantly, with Jamal Shead emerging as a reliable backup point guard and Sandro Mamukelashvili providing unexpected scoring. Gradey Dick and Ja'Kobe Walter have shown flashes of efficient shooting despite inconsistency. Cleveland is 12-6, third in the East, with a 116.5 offensive rating and a 111.9 defensive rating, and recent results include wins over the Clippers, Pacers, Bucks, and Grizzlies and a loss to the Rockets.
Read at Raptors Republic
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