Raptors rout bumbling Cavs
LeBron James and the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers absorbed their mostlopsided loss of the season last night when they were routed by the Raptors 133-99 in Toronto.
The Cavaliers have dropped 6-of-8 dating to a Christmas Day defeat at defending champion Golden State. James scored 26 points last night while 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 were the most by any Cavaliers opponent this season, and marked the third straight game that Cleveland has allowed at least 127.
Fred VanVleet scored a ca- reer-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). Jakob Poeltl had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors.
Lakers 93, Spurs 81 —
Brandon Ingram scored 26 points, Lonzo Ball added 18 and host Los Angeles held off the shorthanded San Antonio for its first three-game winning streak of the season.
Larry Nance Jr. had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who blew an early 19-point lead before running away in the fourth quarter.
Clippers 121, Kings 115 —
Tyrone Wallace intercepted a pass at midcourt and drove in for a dunk with 10.9 seconds left, moments after what looked like a costly turnover by Lou Williams, and visiting Los Angeles held off Sacramento after blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Elsewhere in the NBA —
Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters is expected to undergo season-ending surgery on his troublesome left ankle, a couple media outlets reported after the Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale reported that a decision was imminent.
The Heat declined to comment on the recent reports of Waiters’ status, with the guard having missed the past nine games with what the team had listed as a “left ankle sprain.” ...
Hornets coach Steve Clifford has been medically cleared to return to coaching on a full-time basis.
The team said Clifford will officially rejoin the Hornets starting with practice Tuesday. He will return to the sideline Wednesday night against Washington.
Clifford has been away from the team since Dec.6 dealing with a health issue.