The Toronto Raptors returned to the floor after a week of postponed games for a road contest in Cleveland.
Well, they kind of returned.
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In a game that was only confirmed hours before tip, the shorthanded Raptors battled hard but were ultimately overmatched by the Cavaliers in a 144-99 loss.
Let's jump to some thoughts from what was a one sided affair.
1. So, who actually played?
Toronto just made the required limit of eight players for this game, with the lengthy injury/health list as follows.
- Precious Achiuwa (health and safety)
- OG Anunoby (health and safety)
- Scottie Barnes (health and safety)
- Khem Birch (health and safety)
- Isaac Bonga (health and safety)
- Justin Champagnie (health and safety)
- Malachi Flynn (health and safety)
- Pascal Siakam (health and safety)
- Gary Trent Jr. (health and safety)
- Fred VanVleet (health and safety)
- David Johnson (calf)
- Goran Dragic (not with team)
Shoutout all the guys filling in to keep this season going - from unknown guys to the vets I hope everybody take advantage of the opportunity 💯🎲
— Fred VanVleet (@FredVanVleet) December 26, 2021
With the entire projected starting lineup and key bench players sidelined, the Raptors starting lineup was an unfamiliar group.
Leading the team in minutes played for the night was Yuta Watanabe, who logged 37 minutes.
2. Experience lacking
In one of the more incredible stats of the night, the Raptors starting lineup had combined to play 633 NBA regular season games.
For Cleveland, Kevin Love started the game, in what was his 763rd regular season appearance in the league. Love was impactful on the night, tallying 22 points, nine rebounds and two assists on 6-for-9 shooting from long range.
KLOV3 😍
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 27, 2021
22 PTS
6-9 3PT
7 REB@kevinlove | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/13AVwNJYT7
3. Yuta has career night
It was a night of career-bests for Watanabe, with the 27-year-old making the most of his extended run with the starting group.
Minutes (37), points (26), rebounds (13), field goals made (11) and field goals attempted (20), all topped his previous best during his short stint in the league so far.
Two scoops @wacchi1013 pic.twitter.com/BB2LlLREU8
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 27, 2021
Undrafted in 2018, Watanabe broke into the Raptors rotation in 2020-21, and while he has only been able to appear in 11 games this season he is well on his way to a securing further opportunities.
What a sequence ✨ pic.twitter.com/4xKqjwmxDh
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 26, 2021
4. Former Buck makes his debut
Former first-round pick D.J. Wilson made his first appearance in Raptors colours, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block.
Wilson was recently signed on a 10-day deal to cover the losses on the Raptors roster.
Originally playing 142 games with the Milwaukee Bucks, Wilson was traded to Houston in the much publicised PJ Tucker deal prior to the 2021 trade deadline.
An athlete with an ability to defend across multiple positions, Wilson holds may of the attributes NBA squads are looking for in the modern game. While the final scoreboard didn't reflect his impact, the four steals he recorded is an impressive number and in many ways fits in with the style of defence Nick Nurse wants to play once his roster is once again healthy.
5. 3-point barrage
Already up against it, the last thing Toronto needed was a hot shooting night from long range from Cleveland.
The Cavs poured it on from beyond the arc, burying 22 triples on 42 percent. As mentioned, Love led the way with six long range makes, while Denzel Valentine drilled five, Darius Garland three, Dean Wade two, Ricky Rubio two and Kevin Pangos two off the bench.
On the other end of the floor, Toronto struggled to finish 9-for-36 (25.0 percent).
6. Former Bulls hurt Raps
Chicago is off to a strong start in 2021-22, but it was a pair of former Bulls that hurt the Raptors on Sunday night.
Lauri Markkanen and Denzel Valentine were once highly touted draft picks that fell out of favour in Chicago, though they combined for 37 points and 16 rebounds on 6-for-12 from three.
Markkanen in particular is going through somewhat of a career revival with the surprising Cavs, with the big man starting in all 24 appearances averaging 13.2 points and 5.2 rebounds.
7. What's next?
The Raptors will have one day off before hitting the court at home against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
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