Six? Seven? Eight? 9?
When will the win-streak finish for these impervious, tenacious Toronto Raptors?
In line with my fervid sermon to the lots Wednesday night time, presumably by no means.
The Skinny
With every sport, the Raps solely appear to get stronger. Rising in cohesion and confidence like a mycelium community of basketballing fungi. Not “enjoyable man”.
Critically, although, OG, FVV, GTJ, Svi, Banton, Treasured, Birch, even Malachi, and Champagnie march out brimming with extra confidence, executing extra sharply and extra adventurously every possession.
They present it taking pictures in rhythm in transition, rolling with function off screens, attacking slender crevices within the paint, and pulling stepbacks within the face of set defences.
Mismatch pic.twitter.com/VqQL3j6jBN
— Raptors Republic (@raptorsrepublic) November 4, 2021
Or the center of it.
Svi or Dirk pic.twitter.com/53tADpNkN3
— Raptors Republic (@raptorsrepublic) November 3, 2021
We all know what they’re about on defence.
They now have the sixth-best defensive ranking within the league and have FORTY-ONE extra deflections and SIXTEEN extra steals than the second place, Charlotte Hornets.
That’s all with out the Raptors second-most versatile defender, Scottie Barnes, who is probably not of their high echelon of isolation defenders, however switches seamlessly and roams nefariously in half-court scrambles to shore up potential breakdowns.
Talking of, he’s bacckkkkkkk.
After hurting his thumb on the very finish of the Pacers sport, Barnes has missed the final two wins. Tonight, he’ll have an opportunity to battle his early-on Rookie of the Yr nemesis, Evan Mobley.
Hell sure! We get Barnes x Mobley tomorrow https://t.co/IUrjRiUcFh pic.twitter.com/QMwd6hFePB
— The Light Watch (@AdonMoss) November 4, 2021
Oh, yet another little tidbit for you all. Gary Trent Jr. likkkkkes toying with the Cavs.
He ran up towards them twice final yr: as soon as as a Blazer, taking pictures 8/12 and scoring 26 factors……….you understand the place I’m going with this……….and, as soon as as a Raptor, taking pictures SEVENTEEN FOR FREAKING NINETEEN (that’s 90% in case you have been long-dividing in your dome) and scoring 44.
Your homework, people and mates, is to observe each a kind of spicy jalapeño poppers drop previous to tip-off tomorrow.
~
The Cleveland Cavaliers, additionally within the face of Las Vegas oddsmakers, have a youth motion of their very own brewing. I wrote about them and their stunning begin yesterday (sure, I’m plugging myself, so what?).
They’re 5-4 with strong wins over Denver, Atlanta, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte, and Portland and a slender loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Cleveland, like Toronto, struggles to attain (Toronto is twenty first in factors per sport, Cleveland’s 25). They’re the fourth-worst three-point taking pictures staff and final in factors scored on drives.
They do their soiled work within the paint – simply not by penetration – with a beginning entrance line of Lauri Markkanen (6’11”), Mobley (6’11”), and Jarett Allen (6’10”) who all like to rock the rim. They’re first in paint touches, first in paint factors, and fifth in offensive rebounds. Guess who’s first? It’s going to be a bloody board battle.
Within the again courtroom, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland are Ant-Males: undersized however bullish (Sexton) and sultry (Garland).
Sexton’s scoring much less, however doing so extra effectively regardless of his poor three-point taking pictures and better turnover charge. He goes supernova with out warning. Garland’s persevering with to flourish in his third yr, incurring bumps within the highway, very similar to OG, however possessing the scoring and playmaking efficiency to take over a sport – very similar to OG.
A factor of magnificence from DG @betwayusa | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/WXNem3O8Vn
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 4, 2021
Defensively, the three-giraffe lineup (Lauri’s out with H&S Protocols, for this one, although) has been working. When all three are on the ground they permit 99.7 factors per possession. Surprisingly, with out Lauri, each their offence and defence goes kaput.
The Dean Wade-Ricky Rubio-Sexton-Mobley-Allen fivesome have performed solely 11 possessions collectively, however achieved a +47 per 100 possessions differential. One thing to search for tomorrow.
The “crux” of this staff’s near-and-distant future, although, is 2nd general choose of the 2021 NBA draft, Evan Mobley. He’s averaging 13 factors on 49% taking pictures, 8 boards, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal a sport. It’s strong for the NBA; nice as a rookie.
It appears solely a matter of time till all of it comes collectively. Within the meantime, you get to attend in fearful anticipation as you watch him D up one of the best scoring guards with ease:
DEFENSE! 
#CavsBlazers on @BallySportsCLE pic.twitter.com/7Oqpz20zmM
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 4, 2021
And boogie-woogie his approach down the courtroom like he’s Ish Smith:
Some good transition dealing with and playmaking from Evan Mobley pic.twitter.com/Txql2F5MzN
— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) October 10, 2021
I’m pondering Barnes and Mobley will battle; every appear to be excellent counters to the opposite’s video games.
One staff’s all-in on welcoming top; the opposite’s all-in on avoiding it. Each prefer to muck it up.
This’ll be enjoyable.
Canada Watch
Kevin Pangos lastly earned himself a much-deserved NBA spot.
Recreation Data
Tip-off: 7:30pm EDT | TV: SN1, Sportsnet, BSOH | Radio: SN 590
Toronto’s Lineup
Yuta Watanabe (calf) is out. Pascal Siakam (shoulder) is – oh so shut, however – out. Goran may as properly be out.
PG: Fred VanVleet, Dalano Banton, Malachi Flynn, Goran Dragic
SG: Gary Trent Jr, David Johnson
SF: SCOTTIE BARNES, Svi Mykhailiuk, Sam Dekker, Justin Champagnie
PF: OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher, Isaac Bonga
C: Treasured Achiuwa, Khem Birch
Cleveland’s Lineup
Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love (H&S Protocols) are out as is Isaac Okoro (hammy).
PG: Darius Garland, Ricky Rubio, Kevin Pangos
SG: Collin Sexton, Denzel Valentine, RJ Nembhard Jr.
SF: Dean Wade, Dylan Windler, Lamar Stevens
PF: Evan Mobley, Cedi Osman
C: Jarrett Allen, Ed Davis, Tacko Tuesday
The Lineup
Unfold: Raptors favoured by 6 factors.
Cash Line: Raps (-245); Cavs (+194).
Over/Beneath: 212.5.
WWAB (what would Adon guess): Cleveland struggles to attain, particularly, with out Lauri. I don’t suppose they sluggish Toronto down sufficient to maintain it shut. I’ll take the Raptors on the unfold and the underneath. The -245 isn’t well worth the worth.
Wager properly, buddies.
Tip Adon Moss
Gameday: Raptors vs Cavaliers, November 5 originated on Raptors Republic.
