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	Cavaliers Vs. Raptors Final Score: Cleveland Drops…
Read More: Andrea Bargnani (F – TOR), Antawn Jamison (F – CLE), DeMar DeRozan (G – TOR), Kyrie Irving (G – CLE), Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers There’s something about the Toronto Raptors that really affects Kyrie Irving, who was virtually shut down in the first meeting between the two teams for the opener on Dec. 26. That was Irving’s NBA debut, and he didn’t fare well in his second meeting against them either, going just 1-for-7 from the field in the first half, and just 3-13 overall. Cleveland needed him to step it up as he has been in recent games, but wasn’t able to, and Toronto took the 92-75 win. It’s Toronto’s second win over the Cavs this season, in just six games. For the Cavaliers, it snapped a two-game winning streak, and for the Raptors, it snapped a losing streak. Antawn Jamison was the only player who performed well for Cleveland, with 19 points, six rebounds and a block, going 8-of-19 from the field. A monster performance from Andrea Bargnani led the Raptors to the win. He had 31 points with seven rebounds, three assists and a block on the night. It was helped, of course, by sinking six of seven free throws, but he went 11-for-16 from the field and led the Raptors to the win, in much the same way he did in the first outing, when he scored 21 points along with DeMar DeRozan, who shot 9-for-18 from the field and 5-for-8 from range, putting together a great performance on his own. Cleveland will next take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. For more on the Cleveland Cavaliers, go to Fear The Sword. For an opposing point of view, check out Raptors HQ. You can also head over to SB Nation’s main NBA hub at SBNation.com/NBA. If you like reading our blog, remember to bookmark it. Posted in nba, raptors, Uncategorized \| Comments Off
	Toronto Raptors Assign Alabi to NBA D-League…
January 4, 2012 – NBA Development League (D-League) NEW YORK, Jan. 4, 2012 ? The Toronto Raptors today assigned center Solomon Alabi to the Bakersfield Jam, the Raptors? NBA D-League affiliate. The assignment marks the 18th time an NBA player has been assigned to an NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 season and the first assignment for Alabi this year. Alabi (7-1, 225, Florida State) has appeared in one game for the Raptors this season, his second with the team. During the 2010-11 campaign, he appeared in 12 games, scoring six points and grabbing 14 rebounds in 59 minutes. Alabi returns to the NBA D-League having played 22 games on assignment with the Erie BayHawks during the 2010-11 season. • Discuss this story on the NBA Development League message board… • Digg this story • Add to Del.icio.us • Milwaukee Bucks Recall Hobson from NBA D-League Affiliate Fort Wayne Mad Ants – D-League • Toronto Raptors Assign Alabi to Jam – Bakersfield Jam • Toronto Raptors Assign Alabi to NBA D-League Affiliate Bakersfield Jam – D-League • Babbitt, Johnson Assigned to Stampede – Idaho Stampede • Portland Trail Blazers Assign Babbitt and Johnson to Idaho Stampede – D-League • Cleveland Cavaliers Assign Eyenga to NBA D-League Affiliate Canton Charge – D-League • Ahearn, Emmett Continue Streak in Bighorns Win Over Mad Ants – Reno Bighorns The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff. Feel free to leave your comments below. Posted in nba, raptors, Uncategorized \| Comments Off
	Raptors play host to improving Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving’s profesisonal debut against the Toronto Raptors was completely forgettable, but he’s been showing why he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft in the games since. Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers look to win their third straight Wednesday night when they visit the Toronto Raptors. While Cleveland saw Irving as a player it could build around when it drafted him last year, he struggled in his debut, scoring six points on 2-of-12 shooting in a 104-96 loss to Toronto on Dec. 26. He hit a meaningless three-pointer in the final minute, and finished with seven assists and one turnover in 26 minutes. Since that game, it’s clear why the Cavaliers (3-2) are so high on Irving. He’s averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 assists and is shooting 53.1 percent in his last four games. Irving had 20 points, six assists and no turnovers in Cleveland’s 115-101 win over Charlotte on Tuesday. “Kyrie makes everyone around him better,” Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott said. “He gets more and more comfortable with each game. “Tristan [Thompson is] in that same boat. He’s starting to really understand his role and what he can do in this league.” Thompson, from Brampton, Ont., and the fourth-overall pick in the same draft, had his most effective game Tuesday with 16 points and nine rebounds. He’s averaging 9.8 points and 5.2 boards. Tuesday’s victory moved the Cavaliers above .500 for the first time since Nov. 9, 2010, when they were 4-3. They won three straight only once last season, also coming in the opening weeks. Cleveland has been better defensively since that last game against the Raptors, who shot 53.2 per cent in the season opener. The Cavaliers’ next three opponents didn’t break 100 points and the last four have shot a combined 41.4 per cent. The Raptors (2-3) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 90-85 win at New York on Monday. Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan each scored 21 points as Toronto opened a 17-point lead at halftime before holding off a late rally. Despite the scare, the Raptors gave up their fewest points of the season and held New York to 35.9 per cent shooting. Bargnani, averaging 22.6 points, scored four in the final 47 seconds after the Knicks had pulled within a point. He came in averaging 4.0 points and shooting 25.0 per cent in the fourth quarter, but went 4 of 4 at the line, finishing with six points in 12 minutes. Dwane Casey wants Bargnani to take on a bigger role and the rookie head coach is liking what he’s seeing. Bargnani is averaging close to 37 minutes per game and has been more aggressive on the boards, pulling down 7.6 a game. “He ran the floor really well and … he’s really giving it to us on the defensive end,” Casey said. “He’s got to maintain that stamina on both ends and that’s what he’s doing.” The Raptors have won three of four against the Cavaliers. What are your opinions. Posted in nba, raptors, Uncategorized \| Comments Off
	Cavaliers-Raptors Preview
Kyrie Irving’s NBA debut against the Toronto Raptors was completely forgettable, but he’s been showing why he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft in four games since. Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers look to win their third straight Wednesday night when they visit the Toronto Raptors. While Cleveland saw Irving as a player it could build around when it drafted him last year, he struggled in his debut, scoring six points on 2-of-12 shooting in a 104-96 loss to Toronto on Dec. 26. He hit a meaningless 3-pointer in the final minute, and finished with seven assists and one turnover in 26 minutes. Since that game, it’s clear why the Cavaliers (3-2) are so high on Irving. He’s averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 assists and is shooting 53.1 percent in his last four games. Irving had 20 points, six assists and no turnovers in Cleveland’s 115-101 win over Charlotte on Tuesday. “Kyrie makes everyone around him better,” coach Byron Scott said. “He gets more and more comfortable with each game. Tristan (Thompson is) in that same boat. He’s starting to really understand his role and what he can do in this league.” Thompson, the fourth overall pick in the same draft, had his most effective game Tuesday with 16 points and nine rebounds. He’s averaging 9.8 points and 5.2 boards. Tuesday’s victory moved the Cavaliers above .500 for the first time since Nov. 9, 2010, when they were 4-3. They won three straight only once last season, also coming in the opening weeks. Cleveland has been better defensively since that last game against the Raptors, who shot 53.2 percent in the season opener. The Cavaliers’ next three opponents didn’t break 100 points and the last four have shot a combined 41.4 percent. The Raptors (2-3) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 90-85 win at New York on Monday. Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan each scored 21 points as Toronto opened a 17-point lead at halftime before holding off a late rally. Despite the scare, the Raptors gave up their fewest points of the season while holding New York to 35.9 percent shooting. Bargnani, averaging 22.6 points, scored four in the final 47 seconds after the Knicks had pulled within a point. He came in averaging 4.0 points and shooting 25.0 percent in the fourth quarter, but went 4 of 4 at the line, finishing with six points in 12 minutes. Dwane Casey wants Bargnani to take on a bigger role and the coach is liking what he’s seeing. Bargnani is averaging close to 37 minutes per game and has been more aggressive on the boards, pulling down 7.6 a game. “He ran the floor really well and … he’s really giving it to us on the defensive end,” Casey said. “He’s got to maintain that stamina on both ends and that’s what he’s doing.” The Raptors have won three of four against the Cavaliers. Leave any suggestions in the comment box. Posted in nba, raptors, Uncategorized \| Comments Off
	Cavaliers-Raptors Preview
Kyrie Irving’s NBA debut against the Toronto Raptors was completely forgettable, but he’s been showing why he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft in four games since. Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers look to win their third straight Wednesday night when they visit the Toronto Raptors. While Cleveland saw Irving as a player it could build around when it drafted him last year, he struggled in his debut, scoring six points on 2-of-12 shooting in a 104-96 loss to Toronto on Dec. 26. He hit a meaningless 3-pointer in the final minute, and finished with seven assists and one turnover in 26 minutes. Since that game, it’s clear why the Cavaliers (3-2) are so high on Irving. He’s averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 assists and is shooting 53.1 percent in his last four games. Irving had 20 points, six assists and no turnovers in Cleveland’s 115-101 win over Charlotte on Tuesday. “Kyrie makes everyone around him better,” coach Byron Scott said. “He gets more and more comfortable with each game. Tristan (Thompson is) in that same boat. He’s starting to really understand his role and what he can do in this league.” Thompson, the fourth overall pick in the same draft, had his most effective game Tuesday with 16 points and nine rebounds. He’s averaging 9.8 points and 5.2 boards. Tuesday’s victory moved the Cavaliers above .500 for the first time since Nov. 9, 2010, when they were 4-3. They won three straight only once last season, also coming in the opening weeks. Cleveland has been better defensively since that last game against the Raptors, who shot 53.2 percent in the season opener. The Cavaliers’ next three opponents didn’t break 100 points and the last four have shot a combined 41.4 percent. The Raptors (2-3) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 90-85 win at New York on Monday. Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan each scored 21 points as Toronto opened a 17-point lead at halftime before holding off a late rally. Despite the scare, the Raptors gave up their fewest points of the season while holding New York to 35.9 percent shooting. Bargnani, averaging 22.6 points, scored four in the final 47 seconds after the Knicks had pulled within a point. He came in averaging 4.0 points and shooting 25.0 percent in the fourth quarter, but went 4 of 4 at the line, finishing with six points in 12 minutes. Dwane Casey wants Bargnani to take on a bigger role and the coach is liking what he’s seeing. Bargnani is averaging close to 37 minutes per game and has been more aggressive on the boards, pulling down 7.6 a game. “He ran the floor really well and … he’s really giving it to us on the defensive end,” Casey said. “He’s got to maintain that stamina on both ends and that’s what he’s doing.” The Raptors have won three of four against the Cavaliers. What do you guys think about this. Posted in nba, raptors, Uncategorized \| Comments Off