Raptors at Cavaliers
THE STORY: The Cleveland Cavaliers are enjoying their first three-game winning streak since Nov. 5-9, 2010 – a span of 16 months and 114 games. They host Toronto on Tuesday as the Raptors begin a grueling stretch of four games in five nights. The Raptors have already beaten the Cavaliers twice this season, but they’ve dropped four of six games in March and will likely be without point guard Jose Calderon again.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN (Raptors), FS Ohio (Cavaliers)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (13-28): With Andrea Bargnani still playing his way back into shape and Calderon out with a sprained ankle, the Raptors will rely on Calderon’s replacement, Jerryd Bayless, to provide an offensive spark. While Calderon is a prototypical pass-first point guard, Bayless averages 10.3 points primarily off the bench. This could be an important stretch for Bayless, who did not have the option on his rookie deal picked up, meaning he will be a restricted free agent in the off-season.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (16-23): Kyrie Irving has struggled in his two previous games against the Raptors, shooting a combined 5 of 25, but the first game was his pro debut and the second was his first night playing the second game of a back-to-back. No excuses this time, although he’s again in a 9 of 27 shooting funk his last two games. Coach Byron Scott said he believes Irving is worrying too much about the rest of the team and not being aggressive enough finding his own shots lately. Irving leads the Cavaliers with 18.4 points per game.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Cavaliers haven’t won four in a row since March 8-24, 2010, when they won eight straight during LeBron James’ final season in Cleveland.
2. The Cavaliers are one game behind New York and Milwaukee for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
3. Bargnani scored 31 points in a victory over the Cavaliers on Jan. 4. He recently returned after missing 25 of 28 games with a strained calf.