3 Takeaways for Toronto Raptors from their victory over Cleveland Cavaliers

The Raptors and Cavaliers met for the second time this season. This time the Cavaliers were even less like the team that beat the Raptors, in the second round, of the playoffs last spring, or the team, that appeared, in four consecutive NBA Finals. In the first meeting, between these two teams, LeBron James was already a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. They were also missing J.R. Smith and Larry Nance Jr. to injury, that night.

The Cavaliers are now without J.R. Smith, who has been home awaiting a deal, that will absolve Cleveland, of responsibility, for his contract. They were missing Kevin Love, who is out indefinitely, and sharpshooter Kyle Korver, who has been replaced by Alec Burks and two future 2nd round picks, in a deal which concluded Thursday with the Utah Jazz.

The Cavaliers, since June, are, in transition, to a new era of Cleveland basketball. In the meantime, the Raptors are collectively letting out a huge sigh of relief. The Cavaliers and, in particular, LeBron James, are no longer an obstacle, for the Raptors to worry about. However, after being blown out Friday night, by Boston, the Cavaliers were no pushover Saturday night, in a 106-95 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors were not their usual selves, in this contest. They struggled. It started with Fred VanVleet replacing Kyle Lowry, as the starting point guard. Lowry was suffering from a sore back. VanVleet, in Lowry's place, had 15 points, but was only 5/12 from the field and 1/4, from 3 point range.

The Raptors only used four players, off their bench, who produced just 17 points. Jonas Valanciunas had 5 points and was 2/5 from the field, with 4 personal fouls. However, the Raptors, on an 8-game win streak, have Kawhi Leonard.

For the second straight game, he dropped 30 plus points, 34 last night. He was 11/21 from the field and 9/9 from the free throw line. Leonard was also a problem, for the Cavaliers, from a defensive standpoint. He recorded 2 blocks, 1 steal and 9 rebounds. Also, of note, for the 4th consecutive game, Leonard played more than 35 minutes, 37 in fact, last night.

The three key takeaways from this contest, for the Raptors, are as follows:

#3 The Raptors' bench needs a steady influence

CJ Miles has not been as effective as last season

A player like Vince Carter should be on the radar of Raptors' general manager Bobby Webster. At age 41, he is still productive offensively and the return, of the Raptors greatest basketball hero, would electrify a Raptors fan base ready and in expectation, of great things, from this franchise this year.

The Raptors bench is young, plays productive minutes that lightens the load, on the starters, but lately has been inconsistent. Fred VanVleet's shooting accuracy is down from last year from behind the arc. C.J. Miles' main contribution is being able to hit threes and he hasn't done enough of that this season.

O.G. Anunoby had 15 points in a game against Washington but has recorded 22 in total since. It would be prudent to add a consistent shooter and scorer like Vince Carter, who at this stage, of his career, is not, in demand of major minutes off the bench

#2 Defensive rebounding is a huge problem

With head coach Nick Nurse choosing not to play Ibaka and Valanciunas together, the Raptors are paying for the decision to race up and down the court, in the small ball era, by failing to complete defensive possessions, with a rebound.

Defensive rebounding is a weak spot for this team, as they sit third from bottom in the league in this category. Defensively, the Raptors' ranking is good in every other measurable stat. On Thursday night, against the Golden State Warriors, the Raptors gave the defending NBA Champions, 17 offensive rebounds. However, against a team like Cleveland, the Raptors gave up 11 offensive rebounds and 7 of them to Tristan Thompson. Neither total is ideal.

Unlike adding scoring punch to the bench, this issue requires either a change in style of play or a change in personnel, to acquire a player, like Tristan Thompson, who can grab boards. Since such a move would be an expensive prospect requiring personnel changes through a big trade, and a shift, in the coaches rotations, it could mean a change, in team chemistry, to solve the issue.

With a win-loss record, of 20-4, maybe it's a minor flaw the fan base will have to endure, but it makes it hard in games to outpace an opponent if you keep giving them second and third opportunities to score.

#3 Kawhi Leonard is the undeniable superstar on this roster

Kawhi Leonard has now played over 35 minutes, in four straight Toronto Raptors contests. He has recorded 37 and 34 points respectively, in the last two games. He just might be rounding into his usual MVP form after missing 73 games, for San Antonio, last season.

This would be welcome news, for the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors' hopes and dreams rest with Leonard. If he is able to handle a full schedule, and starter minutes, he and the Raptors will be an imposing opponent for any team they face.

Leonard does not just record points. He is not just a two-way player. He is a superstar. He can clearly carry a team. Last night was a prime example. With no Kyle Lowry and no other Raptor really playing well, and only four other teammates scoring 10 or more points, Leonard dominated the Cavaliers at all the right moments, on either side of the ball. He appears focused and ready to play every night.

The Raptors' next opponent are the Denver Nuggets whom they'll face on Monday night. The Nuggets are playing fairly well, sitting atop the Western Conference, at 15-7. The Nuggets are 6-4, in their last 10 games.