On January 2, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued, and the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Toronto Raptors at home. After four quarters of fierce battle, the Cavaliers finally lost to the Raptors 121-124 and suffered two consecutive defeats. Although Cavaliers player Caris LeVert was on fire in the game, scoring 31 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, the team failed to seize the opportunity at the critical moment and lost by three points.
After the start of the game, the Raptors' new signings Barrett and Quickley made their debuts and performed well. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, relied on LeVert's play to tighten the score. At the end of the first quarter, the Cavaliers trailed 32-41. Entering the second quarter, the two teams launched an offensive attack, and the score rose alternately. At halftime, the Cavaliers trailed 59-67.
The Cavaliers were slack on the defensive end, and the Raptors took the opportunity to widen the difference. But late in the third quarter, LeVert hit back-to-back three-pointers to help the Cavaliers tie the score at 91-98. Entering the final quarter, the Cavaliers launched a counterattack and once overtook the score. However, at critical moments, the Cavaliers failed to capitalize on their opportunities and missed consecutive shots, while the Raptors gradually gained the upper hand with their consistent play. In the end, the Cavaliers lost 121-124 to the Raptors.
In the whole game, Cavaliers player LeVert played well, playing 29 minutes, shooting 12 of 20, including 2 of 7 three-pointers and 5 of 5 free throws, scoring 31 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. His performance once gave the Cavaliers hope of a comeback. However, at critical moments, the Cavaliers' offense failed to continue, while the Raptors won the game with consistent play.
On the other hand, the Raptors' new signings Barrett and Quickley also performed well. Barrett had 17 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Quickley contributed 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. And Pascal Siakam, the main player of the Raptors, played 40 minutes, 13 of 20 shots, including 5 of 8 three-pointers and 5 of 6 free throws, and scored 36 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. His stellar performance was the key to the Raptors' eventual victory.
Despite the Cavaliers' two-game losing streak, the fans were impressed by the outstanding performance of player LeVert. He showed excellent skill and basketball IQ in his breakaways, three-pointers, and passes throughout the game. Although LeVert's play failed to help the team win, his performance certainly added hope to the future of the Cavaliers.
For the Raptors, this victory is a big win for them in the Eastern Conference. The addition of new signings Barrett and Quickley has strengthened the squad, while Pascal Siakam's impressive performances have instilled a lot of confidence in the squad. In an interview after the game, the Raptors head coach said: "This win is the result of our team effort, and we need to stay focused on the defensive end and maintain fluid coordination on the offensive end. ”
Overall, the game was a great contest that showcased the strength and skill of the NBA players. Although the Cavaliers failed to emerge victorious, LeVert's outstanding performance and the Raptors' steady play were a visual feast for fans. We look forward to seeing these two teams meet again in future matches to bring more exciting moments to the fans.