Cleveland Cavaliers offense shines, but the defense has work to do as the Toronto Raptors series moves to Game 2
The Cleveland Cavaliers showed up offensively in Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors, but the team has to do more on defense to stifle a very game Raptors squad.
Cleveland Cavaliers offense shines, but the defense has work to do as the Toronto Raptors series moves to Game 2 originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Game 1 goes to the Cleveland Cavaliers .
The Cavs opened up their series against the Toronto Raptors with a 126-113 victory, outpacing their opponents. The Cavs and Raptors both shot well to start the series, with the Raptors hitting 52% of their shots from the floor, 48% from three, and 74% from the free-throw line. The Cavs shot just a bit better, hitting 54% of their shtos from the floor, 50% of their shots from three and 79% of their shtos from the free-throw line.
The shots were falling all night, with neither team playing especially well on defense. Especially the Cavaliers, who despite having Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley playing considerable minutes, couldn't register one block. The Raptors, who have a less impressive front court defensively, had three.
The Cavs did fine ways to contribute on the other end of the court, posting nine steals to just three. A stat-line that was likely the deciding factor in Game 1. The Cavaliers couldn't deter the Raptors offense at all.