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Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Game 78: Cavs at Raptors

CAVS (17-61) 104, TORONTO RAPTORS (21-57) 96
at Air Canada Centre
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio


WHAT HAPPENED: The Cavaliers are getting it together, now? Just when it looked like they had the worst record in the NBA wrapped up, they decide they want to win games.

They won back-oto-back games for the first time since they won three in row on Nov. 5-9. They also beat Charlotte at home on Tuesday.

The Cavs opened up a 22-point lead in the first half. However, the Raptors pulled within five points with eight minutes remaining.

It wasn’t until guard Baron Davis returned to the game that order was restored for the Cavs. He ended with 19 points, 12 assists and three steals. If you haven't noticed - and not all of you have - he's pretty good and brings a swagger to the court.

As I wrote last Sunday in my NBA notes, if the Cavs are lucky enough to draft Kyrie Irving, who better for him to work under than Davis?

J.J. Hickson paced the Cavs with 28 points, 10 rebounds and a block against the Raptors. Hickson has 23 double-doubles since Jan. 9 (42 games), including seven double-doubles in the last nine games. In those nine games (since March 23), he is averaging 20 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.

The Cavs turned the ball over just eight times on Wednesday.

They’ve been the NBA’s worst team all season, as evidenced by their 26-game losing streak. They are now 17-61, one-half game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for the worst record in the league. The Timberwolves are 17-62 and have seemingly packed it in. They've lost 12 in a row.

The Cavs have four games remaining. Only one of their opponents is a playoff team (Chicago on Friday at The Q). The Timberwolves have just three games left in the 2010-11 season.

Cavs forward/center Samardo Samuels sat out with a strained groin. Center Semih Erden didn't even make the trip. Swingman Christian Eyenga made the trip, but suffered a DNP-CD.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. James Johnson (6-9, 245)
PF J.J. Hickson (6-9, 242) vs. Reggie Evans (6-8, 245)
C Ryan Hollins (7-0, 240) vs. Ed Davis (6-10, 225)
SG Anthony Parker (6-6, 210) vs. DeMar DeRozan (6-7, 220)
PG Baron Davis (6-3, 212) vs. Jose Carderon (6-3, 200)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – F Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao, C Semih Erden.
Raptors – F Linas Kleiza, C Andrea Bargnani, G Leandro Barbosa.
OFFICIALS
Mike Callahan, Matt Boland, Brian Forte

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