TORONTO — LeBron James and the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers absorbed their most lopsided loss of the season Thursday night when they were routed by the Toronto Raptors, 133-99.
The Cavaliers have dropped 6 of 8 dating to a Christmas defeat at Golden State. James scored 26 points in this loss and Isaiah Thomas missed his first 11 shots.
After losing to Minnesota 127-99 on Monday, the Cavaliers fell by an even bigger margin. Toronto’s 133 points was the most by any Cavaliers opponent this season, and marked the third straight game Cleveland has allowed at least 127.
Fred VanVleet scored a career-high 22 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and a season-high 18 rebounds, and the Raptors overcame the absences of two starters.
C.J.Miles scored 16 points, Pascal Siakam and Norm Powell each had 14, and DeMar DeRozan 13 for the Raptors, who were without point guard Kyle Lowry (bruised tailbone) and forward Serge Ibaka (suspension).
NOTES
HEAT: Guard Dion Waiters is expected to undergo season-ending surgery on his left ankle.
HORNETS: Coach Steve Clifford, the former UM-Farmington player, was medically cleared to return to coaching on a full-time basis after dealing with severe headaches, according to the Charlotte Observer.
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