Cavs-Raptors Preseason Pre-Game Notes

Thursday, October 13

? 8:00 PM EST
? @TheQArena, Cleveland, OH
? @NBAonTNT
? @wtam1100, @WMMS, y La Mega 87.7FM

– Cavs (2-1, preseason): Despite Coach Lue’s decision to rest several players on Monday night for precautionary reasons, Cleveland’s young guns managed to give the Hawks’ starting lineup (including Dwight Howard) all they could ask for inside Philips Arena.

Despite a valiant effort from Cleveland’s reserves and camp invites, the Hawks managed to pound their way to a 99-93 victory, led by Dwight Howard’s 26 points.

The fighting spirit displayed by Cleveland’s young prospects on Monday night is just the mentality coaches and executives will be looking for when finalizing their 2016-17 rosters.

With the start of the regular season looming, expect more scheduled rest days for Cleveland’s starting rotation.

LeBron James isn’t scheduled to play again until the Cavs’ preseason finale on October 18th against the Washington Wizards at The Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Tristan Thompson, however, is ready to return after missing Cleveland’s previous three exhibition games due to foot soreness.

After Wednesday’s practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts, Cavs Head Coach Tyronn Lue spoke to the media with regards to Thompson’s return, saying:

“He’s been feeling good, as we’ve talked about. I just wanted to be cautious and make sure everything was right.”

* Cavaliers projected starting lineup (subject to change) *

(PG) Kyrie Irving (6’3″, 193 lbs)
(SG) Iman Shumpert (6′-5″, 220 lbs)
(SF) Richard Jefferson (6′-7″, 233 lbs)
(PF) Kevin Love (6′-10″, 251 lbs)
(PF/C) Tristan Thompson (6′-10″, 238 lbs)

* Cavaliers injury report *

– (SF) LeBron James (rest): Out
– (G/F) John Holland (back strain): Out

– Toronto (1-2, preseason): The Raptors are riding a two-game losing streak and will be looking to get back on track after their disappointing (104-98) loss to the Clippers last week inside The Staples Center.

DeMar DeRozan’s team-high 15-point performance just wasn’t enough against the gritty front-court of the Clippers. Despite a late rally, the Raptors weren’t able to erase the 17-point deficit they faced in the final quarter of play.

Tonight’s matchup marks the first meeting of these teams since last year’s NBA Eastern Conference Finals, where Cleveland edged out Toronto four games to two.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, this is the first time NBA and MLB teams from the same city will meet in a sport’s semifinal in the same year since the LCS began in 1969.

* Raptors projected starting lineup (subject to change) *

(PG) Kyle Lowry (6′-1″, 196 lbs)
(SG) DeMar DeRozan (6′-7″, 221 lbs)
(SF) DeMarre Carroll (6′-8″, 215 lbs)
(PF) Jared Sullinger (6′-9″, 260 lbs)
(C) Jonas Valanciunas (7′-0″, 265 lbs)

* Raptors injury report *

– (PG) Delon Wright (shoulder): Out
– (SG/SF) Terrence Ross (knee): Out
– (PF) Jared Sullinger (sore left foot): Questionable

* All stats and information via www.basketball-reference.com, www.rotoworld.com, www.nba.com, www.espn.com, Elias Sports Bureau, and The Associated Press *