Cavaliers Come Back Falls Short; Raptors Win 101-91

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

The Cleveland Cavaliers with a small line-up came all the way back from an 18 point half time deficit to tie the contest against the Toronto Raptors at 69-69 with 2:21 remaining in the third quarter. However the Raptors at that point took back control of the game ending the quarter up 7 points and holding on for their Opening Night game in front of their fans defeating the Cavaliers 101-91. Andrea Bargnani led all scorers with 28 points LeBron James had a triple-double in the loss for Cleveland. The Cavaliers have started out the campaign with an 0-2 record.

Toronto totally dominated the Cavaliers in the first half as Cleveland looked like they had not recovered from their opening night loss to the Boston Celtics. The Raptors grabbed a five point advantage in the first quarter ending the period on top 27-22. The Cavaliers looked like they needed a road map to find the hoop in the second quarter and Toronto walked into the locker room with a 57-39 lead.

The Cavaliers come back in the third was keyed by playing “small ball” after center Shaquille O’Neal got himself into foul trouble. Cleveland used Anderson Varejao as the center with LBJ at the power forward spot while Anthony Parker took over at small forward. With a back-court of Mo Williams and Daniel Gibson the Cavaliers increased their defensive intensity and stopped settling for the easy shots.

Penetrating and getting key treys the Cavaliers would knot the game up at 69-69. However expending all that energy to come back from that big a deficit cost Cleveland and the momentum turned back the Raptors way. Toronto would end the period ahead 78-71.

Toronto took advantage early of a very slow Cleveland line-up at the start of the fourth quarter. Cavaliers coach Mike Brown should have learned a lesson in this game that he can not play Shaquille O’Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas at the same time. The size advantage that they gain with that duo on the hardwood is more than offset by their lack of speed.

Toronto soon had the lead back up to double digits. The Cavaliers were able to cut it close as James hit one of two at the stripe cutting the Raptors lead to 97-91 with 44 seconds to play. But that was as close as they got as the contest ended with Cleveland running out the clock.

Andrea Bargnani led all scorers with 28 points while his teammate Chris Bosh recorded a double-double scoring 21 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in the Raptors victory. Hedo Turkoglu added 12 points and Marco Bellinelli came off the bench for Toronto and put 10 points in the hole.

LeBron James once again did all he could for his team as he recorded his first triple-double of the young campaign. LBJ had 23 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds and 2 steals in the loss. Four other Cleveland players scored in double figures; Mo Williams scored 16 points while Shaq, Anthony Parker and Daniel Gibson scored 12 points each. The Cavaliers now with an 0-2 record will be in Minnesota Friday night to take on the T-Wolves. Toronto who starts out their season 1-0 will head to Memphis and play the Grizzlies.

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2 Responses to “Cavaliers Come Back Falls Short; Raptors Win 101-91”

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Ryan on October 29th, 2009 9:22 am

Tough start for the Cavs. When West comes back feeling better it should add a little more stability.

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