Cleveland has now won seven games in a row, rising to fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 110-88 win over the Brooklyn Nets last night. Toronto will also be playing their second game in as many nights after beating the Denver Nuggets 112-107.
These two teams have split their two previous matchups this season with the Raptors winning 110-93 on November 23, and the Cavs responding with a 105-91 win this past Friday. The road team has won each game.
Projected Starting Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers (12-7)
G Kyrie Irving – 21.2 ppg, 4.8 apg
G Shawn Marion – 5.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg
F LeBron James – 24.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 7.9 apg
F Kevin Love – 17.4 ppg, 10.0 rpg
C Anderson Varejao – 10.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Toronto Raptors (16-5)
G Kyle Lowry – 20.3 ppg, 7.2 apg
G Greivis Vasquez – 9.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg
F Terrence Ross – 11.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg
F Amir Johnson - 10.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg
C Jonas Valanciunas - 11.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg
What to watch for:
Who will guard LeBron James?
DeMar DeRozan usually is tasked with guarding LeBron James when these two teams get together, but DeRozan is out for the foreseeable with a groin injury. James Johnson has also taken up the task in the past, but he's not used to playing starter level minutes. The Raptors might ask him to do that, which could limit his effectiveness because he'll be giving 90% effort to pace himself, as opposed to giving 100% effort in spurts.
Bench Production
Toronto's bench outscored Cleveland's 51-19 in their first matchup, and was the biggest reason why they won that game. In the second game between these two, the Cavs' bench won 32-25. Whoever can win this battle will get a major advantage, and probably win the game.
Prediction: Raptors win 112-109
These teams each have one blowout victory over the other, and I don't see that happening again. Cleveland is on a roll, but Toronto wants revenge for their loss to the Cavs on Friday. This game will be a high scoring, back-and-forth affair, but Toronto's depth will push them over the top.
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