JUST IN: JB Bickerstaff of the Cavs locks up the Raptors in their most recent victory.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a killer instinct on the defensive end of the court after a wild start to the season. It’s true that Cleveland will find it much simpler to pull this off with Evan Mobley back. However, the Cavaliers showed no mercy against the NBA’s only Canadian team in their most recent victory over the Toronto Raptors.

With a commanding 95-73 lead after three quarters, the Cavaliers led the game and won 119-95 to extend their winning run to nine games. Taking a lead into the fourth quarter, Cleveland’s record improved to 33-2 and they recorded their 19th consecutive double-digit win.

The Cavs’ complete 16-0 road record during that 33-2 run serves as a testament to how oppressive they have become when it comes to ball defense.

Cavaliers defeat the Raptors

For just the sixth time this season, Cleveland kept Toronto, which averages 113.9 points, below the 100-point mark. And the Cavs found another defensive gear in the fourth quarter, when it was winning time. They held the Raptors to 22 points and forced both teams to use up all of their bench players with roughly three minutes left.

Max Strus said after the game, “It shows you the character of our team and the toughness that we have.” “The capacity to spend every night locked inside. We could take a night off and become lazy. However, we’re not. We aim to win each and every game. Every game is one we want to win by as much as possible. That’s what I love about this team. Numerous fights occur. Plenty of people are hungry. Guys aspire to be outstanding. It’s fun. We’re enjoying and contributing to each other’s success.

The Cavs are second in defensive rating overall and are getting closer to Minnesota, who has held the top spot for almost the entire season. However, Cleveland has been the most oppressive defensive team since the beginning of January, giving up just 105.1 points per 100 possessions and allowing opponents to score on 43.7% of their field goal attempts.

Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff explained, “It’s a focus and commitment to one another and to the success we have had.” “We’re very difficult to beat when we defend, as everyone knows. That’s how leads come to us. The defense then switches to an offensive push. People get the impression that they are chasing us all night long and that they are breathing heavily, which suffocates them.

During their current 19-game winning streak (17–2), which is the best in the NBA, the Cavaliers have only lost 188 of a possible 912 minutes since the calendar turned to 2024. The advent of the defensive juggernaut is a level of unparalleled domination, particularly in the contemporary era where the three-point shot has the ability to quickly wipe out leads.

All-Star forward Scottie Barnes recorded a triple-double in this victory over the Raptors, but it did not help Toronto’s chances. In the second quarter, Cleveland increased their pressure and made Toronto feel like they were on the defensive end after the first quarter saw five lead changes and five ties.

Yes, at one point the Raptors did manage to get within four points. However, Cleveland never let up after pushing its lead to double digits for the first time a little over two minutes into the second quarter, stifling Toronto’s offense and breaking their backs defensively.

The Cavs created a cozy cushion against the Raptors, and they have no intention of letting it get any colder anytime soon. It’s just not how they operate as a unit, and since the Cavs don’t back down from a challenge, by the time the regular season ends and the playoffs roll around, Cleveland might be a team that no team wants to take on.

The grind is them.