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Cavaliers arrest skid with crucial victory over the Raptors

By Justin Taguibao

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 06: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks during the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 06, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 104-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 06: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks during the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 06, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 104-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers end losing skid at three games

The Cleveland Cavaliers bounce back from two of their worst defeats of the season to beat the Toronto Raptors at home, 104-96. After three consecutive losses, the Cavs rounded back into form against their conference foes from up north.

Apart from a momentary scare midway through the third quarter, the Cavaliers were never truly in danger of relinquishing their lead since building a double-digit advantage in the second period. The home team even led by as much as 18 at one point in the second half before holding on to the win.

Two-thirds of Cleveland’s Tower City frontcourt in Lauri Markkanen and Evan Mobley shouldered a heavy load, each tallying a double-double after All-Star center Jarrett Allen left the game towards the end of the first quarter with a thigh injury.

Markkanen led all Cavaliers in scoring with 22 points to go with 12 boards, while Mobley slightly edged his Rookie of the Year rival Scottie Barnes by finishing with a huge stat line of 20 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and three blocked shots.

One game removed from notching a career-high 19 assists during a painful collapse against the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland’s other young All-Star Darius Garland seemed to be able to shake off issues with his problematic back, continuing with his solid play and tallied with 17 points and 10 assists in the win.

Cavs create some cushion away from Play-in territory

The win, despite coming at an opportune time, feels bittersweet and would prevent the Cavaliers from truly celebrating.

On one hand, they have extended the cushion over their closest rivals in the standings in the seventh-placed Raptors, but they also lose their one of the team’s best players in Jarrett Allen.

Initially leaving the game with a quad contusion, the 23-year-old center is now reported to have also suffered a fractured finger that would sideline him indefinitely in the midst of one of his best seasons yet.

But this win is highly crucial, preventing the Cavs avoid from sliding down to Play-in territory by improving to 37-27, currently three full games ahead of the Raptors and 5.5 games clear of both the Charlotte Hornets and the Brooklyn Nets.

The Cleveland Cavaliers is scheduled to embark on another tough road trip beginning on March 8th that would see stops in Indiana, Miami, and Chicago.

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