CLEVELAND, Ohio – As the physical first half ended Sunday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors had to be separated.
Two teams with faded playoffs, desperate to turn their seasons around, fighting the frustration that seeps in with every loss. Tension was high in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse – and it washed up in court, right in front of the Toronto bank.
The Raptors, who were displaced from Toronto this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lost a seven game. The Cavs lost five of six. Had to give something. Cleveland channeled those emotions and contributed to Toronto’s season of misery and beat the Raptors 116-105.
That thinning out in the late quarter led to double technical fouls against Collin Sexton and Norman Powell, the two players who struggled against the final revenue streak and soon started jaw-dropping after Sexton and Fred VanVleet exchanged short words. Teammates, coaches and referees eventually broke it up and sent both teams to locker room so they could cool off.
Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff chatted with the team at halftime. He told them the predatory birds of prey would come out swinging. He issued a challenge and demanded that his guys be ready.
This time, the Cavs beat first and scored the first 12 points in the third quarter. Seven came from Sexton, who were clearly angry at the bickering of the first half and after each bucket clapped enthusiastically. Sexton scored 14 points in the third quarter, which helped the Cavs reverse their fate with a 32-18 lead in the decisive 12 minutes.
Do not stab the bear. Or, in this case, the Bull.
Sexton was apt for his unstoppable nickname when he scored a game-high 36 points, including 23 in the second half. With 5:23 left, Sexton canned a left-wing 3-pointer that at that point pushed the lead to 11. Sexton puts three fingers on his forehead and salutes the Toronto bench. Message sent.
“Collin took on the challenge and he carried us in the third quarter,” Bickerstaff said after the win. ‘If you experience such incidents, you must be prepared to back them up. You play against guys who have championship DNA. I thought it was impressive to me how we responded in the third quarter. You can not expect a man to do it alone, we are a team. I thought all those guys around him were gathering and then he led the way. ‘
The big night of Sexton helped the Cavs overcome 27 turnovers, which left the Raptors hanging around, even reducing the lead to five, with less than a minute left.
“I thought we were rushing against their pressure,” Bickerstaff said. ‘I give them a lot of credit. Their players are good competitors, their coach is really a good coach, of course their team is well coached and they were physical, aggressive, handy and we accelerated. We need to learn to patiently fight pressure and be stronger, be safer with the ball and just make the easy game more regular. ”
Jarrett Allen made some important buckets – and worked his way up to the free throw line – also with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Dean Wade threw in 16 points off the bench. Darius Garland added 15 points and six assists. Larry Nance Jr., who started again in place of the injured Kevin Love, also scored double figures and scored 10 points to pass with seven boards and two assistants.
The birds of prey were led by VanVleet, who scored 23 points. Powell beat 18. OG Anunoby scored 17, including 12 in the fourth quarter, while Toronto tried to pull together.
After the game, Sexton said the Raptors woke him up. Big mistake. He got the last word.
JaVale McGee returns
McGee missed Friday’s loss to San Antonio due to illness. The rugby center was able to practice the next day and cleaned up to return to the game action. In 14 minutes, McGee scored six points with seven rebounds.
Andre Drummond see
Drummond has been sitting since mid-February while Cleveland’s front office tries to find a deal before the March 25 deadline, watching the second half on the bench alongside teammates and coaches. Drummond, a two-time NBA All-Star who stood at the center of the global trade talk, remained engaged during the stop-time and gave directions and encouraged.
Following
The Cavs will close out their home field with four games against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. Tipoff is 19:30