TORONTO RAPTORS (12-23) 120, CAVS (8-27) 105
at Quicken Loans Arena
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio


WHAT HAPPENED: The Cavs had an 11-game winning streak against the Raptors at The Q snapped. None of those streaks matter any more. The Cavs are quickly dropping to the bottom of the league.

They really needed this one at home. A team never wants to start a five-game West Coast trip riding an eight-game losing streak. Of course, they've lost 14 in a row on the road and have completely forgotten how to win on the road - or at home for that matter.

The first game on the trip is at Golden State on Friday. One can envision the Warriors ringing up about 125 points on the hapless Cavs. It's becoming one of the worst defensive teams I've ever seen. Not only don't they defend the 3-point line, they don't defend at all.

The Raptors have no post presence. None. Yet they scored 62 points in the paint. In addition, they made 9 of 18 3-point goals. So, the Cavs failed to defend the paint or beyond the arc. Just what are they teaching down there?

I alluded to this in my game story. Whatever point Coach Byron Scott is trying to teach, he'd better take a look at that. It's not getting across on any level.

Granted, the Cavs' roster is not overloaded with talent. But they aren't as bad as they've looked: 18 losses in the last 19 games.

It's become a total joke.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Linas Kleiza (6-8, 245)
PF Antawn Jamison (6-9, 235) vs. Amir Johnson (6-9, 210)
C Anderson Varejao (6-11, 260) vs. Andrea Bargnani (7-0, 250)
SG Daniel Gibson (6-2, 200) vs. DeMar DeRozan (6-7, 220)
PG Mo Williams (6-1, 195) vs. Jose Calderon (6-3, 210)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – F Joey Graham, F Jamario Moon, G/F Anthony Parker.
Raptors – F Reggie Evans, F Peja Stojakovic.
OFFICIALS
Jason Phillips, Bennie Adams, Scott Bolnick