Cavs run short-handed as Raptors extend win streak to eight
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The Cleveland Cavaliers, down to 10 healthy players and completing their third game in four nights, fell to the Toronto Raptors 110-99 on Monday night at Scotiabank Arena.
The loss gave Toronto a 3-0 sweep of the season series with Cleveland, something the Raptors had not accomplished since the 2019-20 campaign. The victory also stretched Toronto’s winning streak to eight games and moved the club to 13-5. Cleveland dropped to 12-7.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson’s lineup was missing several regulars. Darius Garland sat out for injury management, while Sam Merrill (hand), Jarrett Allen (finger), DeAndre Hunter (rest), Craig Porter Jr., Dean Wade and Max Strus (foot surgery) were unavailable.
Despite the short bench, the Cavaliers led for portions of the first half before Toronto closed the second quarter on a 13-2 run to carry a three-point advantage into intermission. The Raptors opened the third period with a 6-2 burst and gradually pushed the margin to 14 late in the quarter.
Cleveland cut the deficit to four with 4:37 remaining, but Toronto answered with timely baskets to secure the result.
Brandon Ingram powered the Raptors with a season-high 37 points. Scottie Barnes added 18 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Donovan Mitchell paced the Cavaliers with 17 points on 6-of-20 shooting, including 3-for-12 from three-point range. Evan Mobley finished with 14 points, while rookie Jaylon Tyson supplied 15 points and nine rebounds. NaeQwan Tomlin scored 14 off the bench. Every available Cavalier recorded at least one basket.
Cleveland now gets several days off before visiting the Atlanta Hawks on Friday for its final NBA Cup group game.
Source: Hoops Wire
