NBA Matchups: April 20

TOR @ CLE | ATL @ NYK | MIN @ DEN

Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers

Team Totals: Raptors 107.5, Cavs 116.5

Injury Report:

Raptors projected starters: Immanuel Quickley, R.J. Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl

Cavs projected starters: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Offensive Ranks: Raptors 13th (10th halfcourt), Cavs eighth (sixth halfcourt)

Defensive Ranks: Raptors seventh (11th halfcourt), Cavs 15th (15th halfcourt)

Season Series: 3-0 Raptors

Darko quotes: Said Mobley “is a handful” and they have to figure out how to use Scottie Barnes, said he started Shead for organization on offense along with his on-ball defense, said they didn’t have enough pace and they needed to make quicker decisions, said they turned it over too much in the third, said they “missed Quickley big time” because of his shooting and playmaking, said they are comfortable with IQ guarding top guards, said the Scottie fouls changed the dynamics of the rotation.

Atkinson quotes: Said they stuck with the game plan and it’s partly due to having so many veterans, said they want to be more rim/paint-oriented, said Strus was a “great story” to play like that in Game 1, said Strus playing PF works because he’s “Chicago strong” to guard bigger players, said they did a great job of not fouling, said Harden is “not one-dimensional” and he only made one big mistake all game, said they were intentional on limiting fast-break points because they knew that was a big deal against the Raptors, said they “set the tone right off the bat” and they sustained with their depth and talent, said Mobley playing well gives them huge confidence in this team.

Stats and notes:

*The Raptors got crushed in Game 1 and lost so many areas they needed to win. The Raptors only had three fast-break points for their lowest total of the season, and Toronto only had 36 paint points to the 52 from the Cavs. The Raptors also hit their 3-pointers at 13-of-27 (48.1%) and had an edge on FTAs, 35 to 28. The Cavs were really locked in on limiting the strengths of the Raptors, and 88.1% of Toronto’s possessions came in the halfcourt for their highest percentage of the season. The Cavs were also in the halfcourt a ton at 86.8%, which isn’t a surprise for an elite TOR transition defense. Cleveland was also able to get to the rim a ton for 42.0% of their shots. It was a dominant performance from the Cavs, and it could be sticky.

*Scottie Barnes had a tough time on Saturday, and it didn’t help that he picked up two quick fouls. His role was there with a team-high figure in touches, touch time, potential assists (11), and drives (18). He could not score inside against these guys with 1-of-7 shooting on drives. He’ll be seeing a lot of Evan Mobley again, so it’s just an easy pass. It’ll get worse if Immanuel Quickley does play.

*Brandon Ingram got clamped by Dean Wade, and they really took him out of the game in the second half. He did not get into the restricted area at all, and seven of his nine shots were pull-up attempts. He only had 23 frontcourt touches last game compared to his 37.3 average, so Wade’s ball denial was a huge part of keeping BI in check. After the game, BI said, “Me not shooting nine shots is not going to win us basketball games,” and Jamal Shead mentioned BI “is the No. 1 option” and they have to get him the ball. Quotes aside, this matchup is so bad for BI, and it’ll get worse if IQ can play, cutting down some usage.