Dribbles: Cavs getting first crack at new-look Raptors

Random dribbles ahead of the Cavaliers’ road game vs the Raptors on Monday night.

1. Well, this is it. The end of the road. No, seriously. After tonight, the Cavs play six straight home games. So it will indeed be the end of the road, for a short while, when the Cavs visit the remade Raptors.

2. That’s right, the Cavs will be the first team to square off against Toronto with newcomers RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Cavs fans remember them from last year’s playoff series vs. the Knicks. Toronto acquired those two in a trade over the weekend.

3. At least, I’m assuming Barrett and Quickley will be available. Both were at shootaround and met with the media on Monday morning.

4. The Raptors (12-21) could be mad, too. After all, they just lost to the Pistons — snapping Detroit’s league-record losing streak of 28 games.

5. Anyway, back to the Cavs (18-14). They have played well recently, though are coming off a toughie of a loss to the mighty Bucks. But if Cleveland can steal one tonight and win, say, four of those six upcoming games at home … well, it will remain in the thick of the race for the four seed.

6. Some people in the league are saying the Knicks passed the Cavs and others in the East after acquiring OG Anunoby from the Raptors. Maybe, but that’s why you play the games. Right now, the Cavs are a hard-luck team with injuries galore. It’s been that way all season. But there are 50 games to go.

7. Most people tell you the NBA season doesn’t start until Christmas, anyway. I’d even stretch that to about Feb. 1. That said, I do think the Cavs have to use January to at least stay the course or take it up a notch in the win column. You’d like to see them 7-10 games above .500 by the end of the month.

8. Yes, that will be tough to do without Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee). But we’ve seen what the Cavs have been able to do in the short time with those two sidelined. When they play as a team and really defend, they’re capable of surprising you, regardless of who’s on the floor. They’ve proven that much.

9. Jarrett Allen has had an All-Star type of stretch, and that’s been an underrated part of the Cavs’ ability to stay alive. In the last 10 games, Allen is averaging 16.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and shooting nearly 70 percent from the field.

10. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. EST. I’ll have plenty more dribbles after the game and lots more content on Hoops Wire throughout the day. We are aiming to be as close to humanly possible to a 24/7 basketball site in 2024. Happy New Year and thanks as always for following along.