The Toronto Raptors are trying to be a contending team in the Eastern Conference. The team fell short last year in the first round of the playoffs after raised expectations and now they are aiming to turn that around this year. The Raptors return home after a lengthy road trip in what is their fifth game back in Canada as they prepare to face off against a Cleveland Cavaliers team hit hard with injuries.
The Raptors are well aware the Eastern Conference goes through Cleveland they will get their first taste of getting past that on Wednesday night as Kyle Lowry and DeMarre Carroll prepare for the challenge. Currently sitting at 9-6, the Raptors have looked strong this year coming back from a road trip where they went 2-3. The last time these two teams played each, Cleveland had their way with the Raptors. In the past three games with these two teams, Cleveland has averaged 110 points, winning all three while LeBron James averaged 29.3 points and 11.3 assists. Everyone knows that cannot happen again as head coach Dwane Casey hopes the team does not get ahead of themselves.
"It's a very good litmus test," Casey said, via ESPN.com. "They're playing good basketball right now. It seems like it's another road game where you're in town and then back out of town, but it's what the schedule gives us and we have to come prepared."
The Raptors are dealing with injuries right now. Their backcourt will have some question marks as Jonas Valanciunas fractured his hand during the road trip. That will add pressure to Lowry and DeMar DeRozan to make up in shooting while Luis Scola and Bismack Biyombo handle the frontcourt for the Raptors.
The Cavaliers are dealing with injuries right now to some of their biggest stars. Timofey Mozgov is out with a shoulder injury to pair with the issues to Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert. Mo Williams has also been dealing with leg issues. That has not necessarily hurt the Cavaliers from getting wins this season as both James and Kevin Love continue to thrive on the court. Meanwhile Matthew Dellavedova has been doing a solid job as the starting point guard, getting 25 assists in three games.