Every once in a while, a team needs an opponent like this year’s Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Raptors haven’t had it easy recently, with a West Coast road trip, a string of tough opponents, a condensed schedule and a barrage of injuries.
But facing the Cavaliers, now 8-25, Toronto looked unencumbered in a 126-110 win, even without Kyle Lowry (thigh), Serge Ibaka (knee), Jonas Valanciunas (thumb) and Danny Green (knee).
It wasn’t anywhere near the Raptors’ best defensive showing — they let Cleveland shoot 48.