Mar 8, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) and small forward Alonzo Gee (33) celebrate at the end of the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Cavs aren’t as deep as the Raps, who can put away a win to even the season series if  they:

1. Play team defense against Irving. He can shoot and make from anywhere, and take the ball to the hoop with authority. The best we can do is make him uncomfortable on the perimeter, and hope our bigs step outside the circle to take some charges when he drives.  We can’t get mesmerized by this guy, either. Irving has some extremely capable teammates in Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson, who will happily grab passes from the generous Kyrie, and pot some baskets.
2. Get some production from the bench. I said above that the Raps are deeper, but you certainly couldn’t prove that from looking at the last tilt, in which the Cavs’ second unit outscored ours 39-8. I want to believe that’s just an anomaly. Alan Anderson, John Lucas et al can’t have bad games at both ends of the floor again – can they?
3. Don’t turn the ball over. One of the many reasons I’m deeply impressed with Cleveland is their low rate of turnovers per game, which is extremely rare in a team so young. Since mid-January these guys lead the NBA in turnovers per game with a mere 12.3, and force enough opposition turnovers to rank 6th this season. This game will not reward a lot of steal attempts by the Raps. Best to force the Cavs into a slow, half-court-set game. Rudy Gay, I’m lookin’ at you! Pass the ball tonight! If he continues his destructive habit of dribbling into trouble, or driving into double teams, I hope coach Dwane Casey parks him on the bench.

Feb 17, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Eastern Conference guard Kyrie Irving (2) of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles in the fourth quarter of the 2013 NBA all star game at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Young squads like Cleveland can often “arrive” quickly. While I’m not prepared to anoint the Cavs as The Next Great Team, there’s a lot to like about them. Irving just played in the All-Star game, and I predict will be an MVP candidate as soon as next season. Tristan Thompson, their Canadian forward, is progressing by leaps and bounds. Most pundits thought the Cavs “reached” for him two years ago in the draft with the #4 selection, but he’s putting up consistently excellent numbers in critical statistical categories like offensive rebounds. Another highly regarded youngster is first-year swingman Dion Waiters. He’s not going to garner many Rookie of the Year votes, as that trophy has already been conceded to Damian Lillard of Portland, but Dion is averaging 14+ points per game. Unheralded Alonzo Gee, a scrappy forward, can score, but his rebounding numbers are disappointing.

Feb 24, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson (13) is fouled by Miami Heat power forward Udonis Haslem (40) during the first half at the American Airlines Arena. Miami won 109-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland’s second unit was bolstered significantly by the inexpensive acquisition of Marreese Speights. He’s a low-maintenance power forward who will battle on the boards and make mid-range shots.

The Cavs would be even more worrisome had they not lost rebounder extraordinaire Anderson Verajao to injury at the season’s quarter-pole. Irving has an injured knee, did not play on Tuesday night, and his status is day-to-day. If he is in uniform, the Raps will need to play hard from the opening tip, a notion which has eluded them lately. Even without him, the Cavs, who have won 6 of their last 10, will not back down.

This time last year, Cleveland was an easy out, as they say in that other game. Not any more. On the premise that Rudy Gay can’t possibly play poorly in consecutive games, I’m going to predict a close Raps victory, by 95-93.

Brian Boake is a co-editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.