Undermanned Cavaliers struggle offensively, fall in Toronto anew

Cleveland Cavaliers fail to even score with Toronto

The Cleveland Cavaliers struggled to keep pace with the Toronto Raptors on the road, putting up their lowest-scoring game of the season to lose, 100-88. Aiming to avenge their opening night loss, the Cavs competed hard but simply did not have enough in the tank.

Following a competitive quarter and a half to start the game, Cleveland found themselves on the back foot as Toronto began to pull away in the second period. The home team continued to stretch their lead, which ballooned to as much as 20 at one point.

Rising star Evan Mobley tallied a double-double of 18 points and 15 boards while Darius Garland had 18 points and 10 dimes, but did not receive much help from the rest of the team. All-Star Donovan Mitchell, who has played up to par thus far, struggled to find the basket, finishing with eight points off a dismal 27% shooting from the field.

O.G. Anunoby led the Raptors in scoring with 20 markers, while Pascal Siakam, who made his return from a leg injury, added 18 points and 11 boards in the win.

The Cavs should look to secure upcoming home games

Following the gritty win in Detroit, the Cavs figured in another ugly game north of the border. Despite arriving in Toronto having won five of their past six outings, Cleveland was just flat on offense against their long-time conference rivals, especially from beyond the arc.

The Cavs shot made just seven of 38 attempts from the three-point range while allowing the home team to drain 43 percent of theirs. Donovan Mitchell, who carried the team over the Pistons, also had a terrible shooting night in his worst game ever as a Cavalier.

Darius Garland’s consistency, as well as Evan Mobley continuing his solid play in the absence of key frontcourt cogs Jarrett Allen (back), Kevin Love (thumb), and Lamar Stevens (illness), remains some of the few bright spots in this loss.

Allen’s value on both ends of the floor cannot be understated, while Love could have helped ease some of the offensive burden placed on the reserves. An impending return to the lineup from either player very well be the difference between another skid or sparking a new winning streak.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to rebound via a pair of upcoming home games, though it will not be a walk in the park as the formidable Philadelphia 76ers are first on the schedule to visit on November 30.