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Toronto Raptors: 3 keys to staying undefeated against the Cavaliers

By Luke Zahlmann

TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 17, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 17, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Against the Cleveland Cavaliers sans LeBron James, the Toronto Raptors have won by double-digit margins each time, a trend that will continue if they capitalize in three key areas.

After a pair of losses on the west coast, the Toronto Raptors righted the ship against the Indiana Pacers in the first leg of their two-game homestand. Leading the way once again was the Raptors’ leading scorer, Kawhi Leonard.

In two games against the Cleveland Cavaliers this year, Leonard has averaged 29 points per game, a few points higher than his season average. With Kyle Lowry set to miss another game, Leonard will once again be relied on to shoulder the scoring load.

If the Raptors are able to key in on a trio of areas, they’ll be able to cruise to a sizable win over the 8-24 Cavaliers team, still reeling from the loss of their franchise cornerstone.

1. Play Pascal Siakam at the five more frequently

Against the Pacers, the Raptors sent Greg Monroe out for most of the center minutes. With Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas both out with injuries, Monroe played 21 minutes, racking up 13 points and seven boards.

With Tristan Thompson remaining out for the Cavaliers and Ante Zizic still learning the ropes, the team has relied on Larry Nance Jr. in recent games to man the five. Listed at the same height at weight as Nance, playing Pascal Siakam opposite the Cavalier’s forward would be ideal.

Against the Pacers, Monroe was successful early, scoring multiple times in the paint, with 10 of the teams’ first 13 points. Later in the game, the visitors began to expose the big man, utilizing their more athletic forwards including Domantas Sabonis to take advantage.

In the game, Monroe compiled a +/- of -9, the only Raptors’ starter that was in the red.

Siakam, on the other hand, provided the team with a facilitating and athletic option at the five. In the game, he compiled seven boards and four assists while scoring 17 points to boot. In all, his efforts aided the Raptors’ win with a +/- of +4 in 34:55 of playing time.

Allowing Siakam to man the center spot, with Leonard or OG Anunoby manning the power forward would provide the team with more options on both ends of the court. Siakam would allow the team to stretch the floor, a skillset that Monroe, nary a 3-point make in his career, does not.

2. Keep Kawhi Leonard aggressive

On the year, Leonard has been the Raptors’ leading force on offense, compiling the third-most points for a player in his first 25 games with the franchise (659).

In recent games, with Lowry ailing, Leonard has stepped up further, scoring 28.3 points per game over the teams’ last three. An added wrinkle for the team has been Leonard’s rebounding, a factor that has allowed him to run the offense.

In games where Leonard has been aggressive on the boards, compiling 10 or more, he has only scored fewer than 24 points once. In those games, his +/- has allowed failed to dig into the negatives, reaching as high as +23 against the Miami Heat.

Keeping Leonard on the prowl and allowing him to run the offense in isolation often will aid the Raptors’ efforts against the Cavaliers. As a team without a consistent scoring force, the Cavs are susceptible to a superstar that can garner buckets whenever they are needed.

In the teams’ two previous matchups, Leonard only compiled three combined steals and blocks in the pair. Continued aggression would also allow him to add to his four steals from the teams’ win over the Pacers.

The game is part of a back-to-back set with the Philadelphia 76ers on the road Saturday night. Allowing Leonard, if active, to play limited minutes at maximum aggressiveness will serve the team well.

3. Allow Fred VanVleet to play all of the clutch minutes

With Lowry in the trainers’ room, the Raptors have minimal playmaking abilities from their guards. Fred VanVleet is the lone guard remaining for the team that can operate the offense somewhat smoothly, with the ability to play excellent defense as well.

Against the Pacers, VanVleet flashed his late-game heroics as well:.

In the late-game moments, Delon Wright needs to be relegated to the bench, with VanVleet manning all of the playing time at point guard.

Along with his clutch shooting, VanVleet has shown the ability to lock down opposing guards, allowing Leonard and company to stick to their given matchups as well.

Against the Cavaliers, with the opposition running their offense primarily through their backcourt pieces in Collin Sexton and sixth man Jordan Clarkson, the Raptors need VanVleet. His ability to add lockdown defense on Clarkson or Sexton will allow Danny Green to man the other guard, with Leonard serving as elite backup.

The matchup should present a chance for another win over their bottom-dwelling Eastern Conference foe. Allowing too many players to see the court in the clutch moments of the contest could backfire.

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