CLEVELAND, Ohio – With the physical first half ending Sunday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors needed to separate.
Two teams with disappointing playoff hopes, each fighting against the frustration that has sunk into you, desperate to turn their asons around. Tensions were high inside the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse – and they stormed straight into court in front of a Toronto bench.
The Raptors, who were displaced from Toronto this season due to the COVID-19 epidemic, were on a seven-game losing streak. The Cavs lost five of six. Something had to be given. Cleveland channeled those sentiments and added to Toronto’s miserable season, beating the Raptors 116-105.
Colin Sexton and Norman Powell, the two players who fought on the final inbound, and Sexton and Fred Wenville started jabbing shortly after the exchange of words as a result of the dusting of the quarter at that end. Fellow players, coaches and referees eventually broke it down and sent both teams to the locker room so they could get cool.
At halftime, Cavs coach JB Bickersteff spoke to the team. He told them the proud Raptors would come out swinging. He posed a challenge, demanding to be ready for his people.
This time, the Cavs hit the first shot, scoring the first 12 points of the third quarter. Seven came from Sexton, who was clearly angry at the first half squabble and clapped enthusiastically after each bucket. Sexton scored 14 points in the third quarter, helping the Cavs turn their fortunes around 32-18 in those crucial 12 minutes.
Don’t tweak the bear. Or, in this case, the bull.
Sexton justified his unbeaten nickname to make the game-high 36 points, including 23 in the second half. He went from field 13-of-24 and 3-point range to 6 — 9, adding four auxiliaries, three rebounds and two steels. With 5:23 left, Sexton cans left-wing 3-pointer which led to an 11 lead at the time. Sexton placed three fingers on his forehead and saluted the Toronto bench. Message sent.
“Colin took that challenge and he took us to the third quarter,” Bikerstaff said after the win. “You have to be prepared to back it up when you have those events. You are playing against boys with championship DNA. I thought it was impressive for me, how we reacted in the third quarter. You can’t expect someone to do it yourself, we are a team. I thought all those people would rally around him and then he would lead the way. “
Sexton’s big night helped the Cavs overcome 27 turnovers, allowing the Raptors to hang on late into the night, cutting the lead to five with less than a minute left.
“I felt like we ran against their pressure,” Bikerstaff said. “I give them a ton of credit. Their players are great rivals, their coach is a really good coach, obviously their team is a good coach and they were physical, they were aggressive, they were on hand and they got us fast. We will learn to fight the pressure with patience and become stronger, be safer than the ball and just often make a simple play. ”
Jarrett Allen made a few key buckets – and made his way to the free-throw line – even under the stretch, finishing with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Dean Wade poured 16 points off the bench. Darius Garland added 15 points and six assists. Larry Nance Jr., who started again in place of the injured Kevin Love, also reached double figures, earning 10 points to go with seven boards and two assistants.
The Raptors were led by Vanville, who scored 23 points. Towento was trying to rally, with OG Anunobi scoring 17, including 12 in the fourth quarter.
Following the game, Sexton said the Raptors picked him up. Big mistake He got the last word.
Jawale McGee returned
McGee missed out on San Antonio on Friday due to an illness. The backup center was able to practice the next day and the game was cleared to return to action. In 14 minutes, McGee went ahead with seven rebounds, scoring six points.
Watching Andre Drummond
Sitting in mid-February, as Cleveland’s front-runners try to find a trade before the March 25 deadline, Andre Drummond saw fellow players and coaches on the second bench. Drugmond, a two-time NBA All-Star, who is at the center of the leaguewide trade chatter, remained engaged during the timeout, directing and promoting.
Now the next
The Cavs will wrap up their four-game homestand against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.
