Cavaliers at Raptors
THE STORY: The Cavaliers and Raptors both have power forwards who were drafted incredibly high despite glaring flaws. Now both teams are watching their bigs develop into all-around stars as they meet Wednesday night at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors drafted Andrea Bargnani first overall in 2006 knowing he was a prolific scorer who rarely defended. The Cavs drafted Canada native Tristan Thompson fourth overall last summer knowing he was a rebounder and shot blocker with awful offensive numbers. But first-year Raptors coach Dwane Casey is coaxing relentless defense out of Bargnani, while Thompson responded Tuesday night with career highs in points (16) and rebounds (nine) off the bench and his overall offensive game has been better than advertised. The Cavs and Raptors are both rebuilding franchises emerging from the darkness of last season, when each lost their biggest star to the Miami Heat. Both franchises are beginning to show signs of life, and their top picks have a lot to do with it.
TV: 7 p.m., Fox Sports Ohio, Rogers Sportsnet
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (3-2): The Cavs have enjoyed convincing wins over the Pistons, Nets and Bobcats – three teams that enter Wednesday with a combined 4-12 record – but Coach Byron Scott is reserving judgment on his team until after this grueling road trip. Wednesday's game is the first stop on a seven-city, 13-day trip that includes games on both coasts and in every time zone. The Cavs began last season 5-5 before everything unraveled, so Scott said he wants to see how his young team responds to such a challenging trip early in the season.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (2-3): Guard DeMar DeRozan has five 3-pointers, already equaling his total from all of last season. DeRozan made fewer than 10 percent of the 3-pointers he attempted last season (5 of 52) partly because of mechanics and partly because of a lack of confidence. In order to create open lanes to the basket, DeRozan knew he’d have to add distance to his jumper, so he spent all summer in the gym firing 3-pointers. So far, DeRozan is 5 of 8 (.625) on 3-pointers this season.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Raptors had a league-high 35 assists in their season-opening victory over the Cavs on Dec. 26.
2. Cavs rookie point guard Kyrie Irving has 28 assists and 11 turnovers in five games this season.
3. The Raptors held the New York Knicks to a .359 shooting percentage on Monday, the lowest percentage for an opponent in more than two years (Detroit shot .279 on Dec. 23, 2009).