After playing their first five games in four different cities, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be able to sleep in their own beds for the next week.
Cleveland begins a three-game homestand Friday against the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Cup opener for both teams.
The teams are part of East Group A with the defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards.
The Cavaliers’ return flight to Northeast Ohio was welcomed following their worst performance of the season, a 125-105 loss Wednesday at the Boston Celtics.
Unheralded Celtics post players Neemias Queta and Josh Minott combined for 21 points and 28 rebounds as Boston decisively won the board battle, 53-42.
“We were just waiting, not being assertive,” said Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson. “It was just one of those nights in the NBA where you’re outplayed at every position and I was outcoached.
“We need to get back to being who we are as a team.”
Evan Mobley and second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson each had 19 points, but All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell scored all 15 of his points in the first 13:24.
Mitchell was on the pregame injury report with a hamstring issue and sharpshooter Sam Merrill didn’t dress because of a back injury suffered Monday in a win at the Detroit Pistons. The Cavaliers are 3-2 after winning an East-leading 64 games.
“For some reason, our energy level was super low and Boston’s energy was through the roof,” Atkinson said. “They dominated us from a physical standpoint, and that’s in our DNA. Even in the second half, we didn’t fix it.”
Cleveland remains without starting point guard Darius Garland (offseason toe surgery) and shooting guard Max Strus (foot surgery). A return date has not been announced for either.
While the Cavaliers’ effort on the glass was lacking in Boston, Toronto’s was even worse in its 139-121 home loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
Scottie Barnes grabbed a team-high five rebounds and was the lone member of the Raptors with more than three as Houston dominated the boards, 53-22.
“They just punked us on the glass,” said Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic. “Our guys fought. They tried, but (Houston) just manhandled us there.”
The Raptors have dropped four straight — the last three by double-digit margins — since winning their opener at the Atlanta Hawks. Barnes scored 31 points and fellow forward Brandon Ingram added a season-high 29 against the Rockets.
Rookie center Collin Murray-Boyles was another bright spot with 13 points in 25 minutes. The ninth overall draft pick from South Carolina capitalized on his first professional start.
“The physicality he brings, we need that,” face of the franchise Barnes said. “I think he did amazing.”
An undersized center at 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, Murray-Boyles is likely to start again in Cleveland. Bruising pivot Jakob Poeltl left Monday’s loss at the San Antonio Spurs with lower back tightness and could miss a second straight game.
The Raptors’ slow start has been overshadowed in their home city because of the Toronto Blue Jays playing in the World Series. The Raptors’ low profile will be even smaller Friday night when the Blue Jays host the Los Angeles Dodgers with an opportunity to win their first championship in 32 years.
–Field Level Media
