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Published Oct 31, 2025 • 4 minute read
Raptors' Immanuel Quickley (5) shoots between Cavaliers' De'Andre Hunter (12) and Craig Porter Jr. (9) in first half NBA Cup action in Cleveland, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.
Raptors' Immanuel Quickley (5) shoots between Cavaliers' De'Andre Hunter (12) and Craig Porter Jr. (9) in first half NBA Cup action in Cleveland, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. Photo by Sue Ogrocki /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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The economics of basketball won’t allow Jamal Shead to start over Immanuel Quickley and neither will the sheer optics.
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Quickley makes too much money, far too much in fact, while Shead is in his second season.
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The fact remains Shead does make a better fit in Toronto’s starting group because he defends and is fearless.
The kid is getting better in his decision making as well.
To relegate Quickley to the bench would be a clear and obvious indictment on the lucrative contract extension the Raptors doled out, a decision viewed by many as too quick following the trade with the New York Knicks.
He is the superior scorer and will give defences issues when he’s getting out in transition and getting into the paint.
The Quickley-Shead mix can be effective, especially on a night such as Friday when the Raptors were in desperate need of a spark.
The host Cavs were depleted and the Raptors desperate for a win following four straight losses when opponents averaged 130 points.
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Jamison Battle emerged as the player of the game by coming off the bench and making threes Steph Curry would appreciate in posting a 20-point night in leading the Raptors to 112-101 win.
The following are three takeaways from Cleveland’s Rocket Arena where Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic didn’t waste any time in calling timeouts when his team basically abandoned its defence, the biggest area the third-year bench boss has stressed and has constantly reinforced.
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1. Cup Half Full
What to make of the NBA’s in-season tournament officially known as the Emirates Cup remains up for discussion.
The flamboyant colours adorning the floor with the event’s logo prominently displayed at mid-court are sure signs of this experiment that is now in its third season.
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In the previous two editions, the Raptors were eliminated in the blink of an eye.
The L.A. Lakers won the inaugural event, Milwaukee taking last year’s tournament that saw the Indiana Pacers make the final before they went on their improbable run to the NBA Finals.
Other than the colourful courts on designated Cup nights, it’s hard to discern the difference from your normal regular-season tip.
Point differential is crucial, which is why the Raptors kept scoring late when the game was no longer in doubt.
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Defensively putrid Raptors meekly succumb to high-flying Houston Rockets](https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/defensively-putrid-raptors-meekly-succumb-to-high-flying-houston-rockets)
2. [San Antonio Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama shoots against Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes.
Struggling Toronto Raptors must fix defence fast or risk spiralling season](https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/must-fix-defence-fast-risk-spiralling-season)
2. Killer Instinct Wavers
In their one and only win entering the night, the Raptors showed no mercy against the host Hawks, creating a pace that was sustained and by making stops when stops were required.
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Toronto played well against the host Cavs in taking a double-digit lead.
The visitors turned too cavalier, no pun intended.
When they should have gone for the jugular, the Raptors settled for jumpers and were guilty of not getting back in transition.
In Wednesday’s loss to Houston, twice the Rockets ended a quarter on a buzzer beater.
Cleveland beat the buzzer to end the opening half, which had the Raptors leading 48-43 at the break.
The lead should have been greater.
Closing out quarters is one of the hallmarks of a good team. Perhaps in time the Raptors might evolve into one.
Toronto looked good in spurts Friday, but it went up against a bad Cavs team.
Early in the third quarter, Cleveland took a lead, which spoke more to how poorly the Raptors were playing and how even more poor they shot the ball.
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The lead swelled into double digits.
Battle provided a much-needed lift when he buried three straight three-balls from almost the exact spot from the left baseline.
Cleveland poured in 34 points in the third quarter.
3. Misery Loves Company
Jakob Poeltl didn’t accompany the Raptors to Cleveland as the big man deals with back stiffness.
As valuable as Poeltl is to the Raptors, especially on defence and on the boards, his presence pales to what the Cavs were forced to manage.
Cleveland’s dynamic backcourt of Donovan Mitchell (hamstring) and Darius Garland (toe) was unavailable as was fellow starter Jarrett Allen (finger).
Key reserve Max Strus (foot) was out, while Sam Merrill (hip) missed the game, rendering the Cavs decidedly depleted.
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Friday night’s starting group featured two legitimate pieces in Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter, though the latter was acquired to serve as a reserve.
One could the make the argument the Raptors had two bona fide starters in Barnes and Ingram.
Being at home did provide the Cavs with added energy.
The talent drain was clear early as Cleveland missed a lot of shots.
For the first time since opening night in Atlanta, the Raptors took an actual lead following the first quarter.
Despite its injury-related issues, Cleveland never took a possession off and it did exercise good ball movement.
The team’s lack of depth was painfully evident in the zero points produced by its bench in the opening 24 minutes.
Up Next
The Memphis Grizzlies come to town Sunday for a 6 p.m. tip with Toronto native Zach Edey unavailable as he recovers from a left ankle injury; he was expected to make the trip; fellow Canadian Brandon Clarke is dealing with a right knee issue; at least Ja Morant is healthy, an electrifying point guard who is the face of the franchise.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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