Kyrie Irving disappoints as Toronto Raptors beat Cleveland Cavaliers 104-96: NBA Recap
Cleveland Cavaliers is a team on the path of rebuilding. This year, they acquired the number 1 draft pick of the 2011 NBA draft Kyle Irving and brought in Tristan Thompson at number 4 to mark a new beginning, one without LeBron
James.
Coming into the game against the Toronto Raptors, all eyes were set on the duo, especially Irving. However, he did not help the team much in the season opener as the Cavs were beaten104-96.
Irving looked nothing like a threat and only managed to score six points including a garbage time three in the in the final minute. The other disappointment of the night was the starting forward Omri Casspi who was completely offbeat
and only managed to score 2 points.
Raptors were professional and outclassed the Cavs in each and every department, be it shooting from the field (53.2 % - 41.2%), free throw line shooting (84.6 – 71.4 %), rebounds (45-37) or assists (35-21).
New Raptors head coach Dwane Casey seemed satisfied with how his players performed; "Everybody who stepped on the floor contributed in some way or another. I liked what I saw tonight, but this is a process. The good thing is we've
got 65 more games to find out how far we can go."
Seven Toronto players managed to end with scores in double figures on the night. Jose Calderon and DeMar DeRozan marshalled the winning team with 15 points each. Ed Davis and Leandro Barbosa both added 14 each while Andrea Bargnani
and Amir Johnson both accumulated 13.
Ramon Session led the Cavs with 18 points on 6 for 12 from the field, 4 rebounds and 6 assists. Antawn Jamison netted 15; Tristan Thompson had 14 while Anderson Varejao completed a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Cavaliers fought gallantly and got many chances in the game. They were only behind by 3 points, 88-85; with 6 and a half minutes remaining and needed just one player to step up and get them ahead, however it did not happen and
DeRozan drilled three mid range jumpers in the next few minutes from the other end - the final nail in the coffin. Cavs never managed to slash the lead and lost by 9 points in the end.
Tags: