Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors

Trapped by the Raptors” cheer squad, the “Raptors Dance Pak’, the Cavaliers awkwardly stood their ground as the dancers shimmied and grooved in an attempt to pump up the home crowd.

Perhaps next time the Raptors will shorten their pre-game show. While he’s mentioned once or twice injuries are playing a part in the difference, he’s clearly unhappy with the way the Warriors have been scorching through the league, including beating the Raptors thanks to some dubious calls, while Toronto came through at home against the Cavs.

The Grammy victor had the pleasure of introducing the starters before the game and could not help injecting a bit of his famous humour into the announcements. “I didn’t play well, they were the better team”. “They were the better team tonight and they got the win”.

Pistons 104, Heat 81 – Andre Drummond had 18 points and 20 rebounds and host Detroit routed Miami to end a two-game losing streak. That has not necessarily hurt the Cavaliers from getting wins this season as both James and Kevin Love continue to thrive on the court.

The Raptors also acquired DeMarre Carroll in the off-season to shore up their defence. That is one of the main treasons we brought him in. “So none of that would be possible without them”, James said. When you are that type of player that is your job.

On Wednesday, Carroll will get a chance to back up the talk.

After starting the season 8-1, head coach David Blatt’s team have a record of 3-3 since, for an 11-4 overall record.

“I’m a defensive-minded (player)”. Everybody can score the ball (in the NBA).

After missing their first five shots of the fourth quarter, the Raptors scored nine straight points over a two-minute span to open a 91-84 lead with 5:38 to go. And hey, the Raptors won and kept James relatively quiet late, so no big deal, right?

“We got a hell of a defender in DeMarre Carroll”, DeRozan said.

Lulls you can’t have against an opponent as good as the Cavs. Valanciunas will miss about six weeks after deciding to rehab the injury rather than undergoing surgery. “So we’re going to enjoy it till midnight, then we’re going to get back in the lab and work”. “I was just finding a good rhythm”, Love told reporters. Carmelo Anthony led NY with 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Jose Calderon had 25 points. Guard Kyle Lowry led the way with 27 points, six assists, and four steals. “You can’t stop him, you can only slow him down and that’s what I tried to do tonight”. On the other side, Jonas is a big guy, now we have to play faster. It seemed odd when Johnson, a small or power forward throughout his career, saw some minutes in the middle during the pre-season, but that should pay off now. “Not really role will change but position more so will change”, head coach Dwane Casey said.