The Toronto Raptors are taking on a hot Cleveland Cavaliers tonight!
On Friday night, the Toronto Raptors are set for a can't-miss matchup against an ascendant Cleveland Cavaliers team in Eastern Conference play. After Pascal Siakam's remarkable 52-point performance ended New York Knicks' eight-game streak and lifted the spirits of a struggling Raptor side, they'll travel south with renewed confidence to ignite their own winning run. Can he do it again? Will this be a true momentum shift or just another loss on the road? All will soon be revealed under NBA lights!
The Cleveland Cavaliers are absolutely on fire amid a run of their own. They are looking for their sixth consecutive win after Donovan Mitchell's 36 points led them over the Milwaukee Bucks 114-106 Wednesday night. They sit third in the Eastern Conference with a 22-11 record and are 7-3 in their last 10 games. This makes them one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now.
Spicy P to rescue again?
Siakam has been on a tear recently—he's scored 117 points over his last three games, shooting 54.2 percent (39-for-72) from the field - making it the most points scored by a player in the franchise history over that time frame, topping DeMar DeRozan's mark of 113 points which he achieved twice!
Siakam's scoring ability was on full display at MSG. He is always seemingly one step ahead of defenders, moving seamlessly from tight spaces and executing with precision to find the open shot, often leaving opponents flatfooted with his quick decisions and even quicker speed. He will need to provide that tonight against a lengthy Calveliers lineup.
Siakam's athleticism makes him such a prolific scorer, as he can quickly attack the basket with tremendous energy and get his shots off. His agility and quickness allow him to get to the paint at will. His length and quickness also enable him to defend or switch positions multiple times during a single possession, allowing him to keep plays alive or create shooting opportunities for teammates if necessary. Our offence needs to go through Pascal; he's too good.
Pascal needs more help.
The bench needs to be better for the Raptors. We can't always rely on the big three of Pascal, OG and Fred to carry us. Our bench must be integral to creating success, not just riding it like passengers. Being strategic in our approach requires looking outside conventional lineups, thereby allowing us to surprise our opponents by giving them unexpected looks while keeping the core of our system intact.
Tonight, it can't just be Fred VanVleet stepping up and helping Pascal; we need more power. Steady Fred needs to come through again. On Wednesday night, the duo looked strong in the offence, with VanVleet scoring 28 points, including a big three-pointer in the fourth quarter - a crucial moment for the team. It was an impressive performance from both of them, working together to create something special on the court and make their mark in a big way.
Motivated by losses, Fred VanVleet turned negatives into positives. He's becoming the Raptors' surprise leader, rallying the troops around Pascal Siakam and fighting for every victory. It starts with discerning why and how he fits into this leadership role, learning from his experiences and using it all to make a difference.
Raptors need more from Scottie Barnes.
Raptors need more from their Scottie Barnes. Despite expectations that he would be a key component of their game plan, Barnes was benched in the fourth quarter on Wednesday due to multiple defensive mishaps. Not only was he inefficient in scoring and went 1-for-10 from the floor, but he seemed disconnected and far from engaged. His lethargic mindset has to change if there's any hope for success this season. Every game is an opportunity for Barnes to show his prowess and capability as a player -- and he needs to seize it with both hands.
If Barnes wants to play any significant role in what is sure to be a showdown with Cleveland, he'll need to retake his focus and make sure it doesn't waiver ever again this season. The Raptors rely on him for more than just points: they need him for energy and leadership.
