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A tough 105-102 loss for the Raptors in Cleveland. Here’s a look at how everyone graded out:

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Jakob Poeltl: B+

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Not only did he match Pascal Siakam for most points by a Raptor with his season-high 18, but he also set a new season mark for rebounds with 13. Poeltl has been almost automatic of late when teammates find him in and around the hoop and his defence was solid going up against a huge frontcourt in Cleveland.

OG Anunoby: B

Not his best offensive night, but Anunoby was in Donovan Mitchell’s kitchen all night, limiting him to just 10 points on 4-of-17 shooting. His five offensive boards, which led the team, also were nice. The shot was a little off, going just 4-of-12 from the field.

Pascal Siakam: B

Like Anunoby, Siakam provided a little less than expected, but was solid in most facets of the game. Eighteen points, eight boards and six assists is a nice stat line. The major blemish on his night were the four turnovers as he got a little wild trying to kick the ball back out after getting swallowed up as soon as he hit the paint.

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Dennis Schroder: C

Struggled with foul trouble which cost him some playing time. He was key in helping get the Raptors back in this one late so they had a chance. But overall, not a very impactful night for a guy who normally impacts the play quite a bit.

Gary Trent Jr.: C

Really two very different halves from Trent, who was a key scorer in the first half and then cooled right off in the second. Trent Jr. finished with 13 points to help the Toronto bench win the battle of the reserves, but stalled in the second half and didn’t manage to get a shot off on a potential game-tying three. He appeared to have Barnes wide open at the top of the three-point circle on that final play when he stepped out of bounds.

Scottie Barnes: D

Barnes drew the Darius Garland defensive assignment and struggled all night to keep up with the young guard. Garland just looked to be a step ahead of Barnes all night and effectively used screens to really tire the Raptors versatile forward out. Barnes had 15 points and eight boards but that minus-20 beside his name screamed ‘tough night.’

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Malachi Flynn: D

Flynn had a larger opportunity on this night thanks to Schroder’s foul trouble, but didn’t do a whole lot with it. Hit one three-pointer for the team, but otherwise was quiet on the night.

Precious Achiuwa: D

Free-throw shooting was an issue all night for too many of the Raptors and has been for much of the year but hitting just one of four, Achiuwa is going to take a good chunk of the blame.

Chis Boucher, Otto Porter Jr.: INC

Played just 10 and five minutes, respectively.

THREE STARS

1. Darius Garland

2. Max Strus

3. Jakob Poeltl

THE OPPONENT GOING FORWARD

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This game may be one of those turning points for the Cavs. A very good defensive team a year ago, the Cavs’ defensive play has fallen off a cliff this season. Sunday’s second half in particular against a Toronto team that owned them for a large chunk of the second quarter was a lot more like that defence of a year ago. There’s no question they have the personnel to be a tough defensive team, even if they have hurt themselves in that department as they hunted more shooting in the off-season. If they can retain that defensive edge, look for the Cavs to start moving towards that fourth or fifth spot in the Eastern Conference.

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