Preview: Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Raptors begin their first three-game winning streak of the season tonight when they host the Cavaliers.

• The author
  
  higgs31
  

• is on February 10, 2024 at 3:57 p.m

Those of you who have followed the Raptors this season may remember the promise coach Darko Rajakovic made to his team a few months ago. Three wins and he's taking the team out to dinner on his own dime. Although half of the players he promised at that time have moved to other teams, I am sure that his agreement will be fulfilled.

For the fourth time this season and the first time in over a month, the Toronto Raptors won back-to-back games. Back at home last night for the first of a four-game home stretch before the All-Star break, they host the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers as they look to win their third straight.

The last time these teams faced each other was on New Year's Day, and not only were both teams vastly different from each other, it was the pinnacle of Cleveland's season. The Raptors beat them, marking the first time they've actually won back-to-back games. The game also marks the Cavaliers' second straight loss.

You read that right, it's February 10th, and Cleveland has lost just once since January 1st. After losing to the Raptors, the Cavs went on an eight-game winning streak, losing to Milwaukee and going on another eight-game winning streak. With the starting lineup back to full health and a 16-1 streak, Cleveland looks like a real championship contender.

Beating the Cavaliers will be an uphill battle, and the Raptors are adding a few reinforcements that weren't in the lineup against Houston last night. Recently acquired Canadian big man Kelly Olympic and young wing (and Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick) Ochai Agbaji will make their Raptors debuts tonight after Thursday's trade deadline.

Agbaji and Olynyk were in the building last night and could have adjusted, but the team was given some time to adjust.

In their first game against Toronto, they faced a tough challenge, hosting one of the hottest teams in the league. If they can pull it off, it will definitely be worth it, because Darko will finally have the pizza party he's been waiting for all season.

How to watch:

TSN 7:30 PM ET

Possible lineups:

Toronto: Immanuel Quickley, Gary Trent Jr., RJ Barrett, Scotty Barnes, Jacob Poeltl

Cleveland: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Struss, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Injuries:

Toronto: RJ Barrett (questionable – knee)

Cleveland: Ty Jerome (out – ankle), Tristan Thompson (out – suspension)

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