CLEVELAND, Ohio — What if the Cavs’ recent 110-99 loss to Toronto wasn’t just about missing seven players on a back-to-back? What if it revealed something more troubling about a potential playoff matchup?
In the latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast, cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor raised a question that should give Cavs fans pause: Could the Raptors’ style be kryptonite for Cleveland, regardless of who’s available?
“Remember last year we were seeing some signs of ‘hey, Indiana might be the kind of team that bothers the Cavs’ ... as I was watching the game I was saying to myself, ‘hey, is this the kind of style that can be problematic for the Cavs?’” Fedor questioned, drawing a concerning parallel to last year’s playoff nemesis.
The discussion centered on specific tactical elements that made Toronto so effective against Cleveland. It wasn’t just that the Cavs were shorthanded — it was how the Raptors’ personnel and approach systematically dismantled Cleveland’s strengths.
Fedor detailed exactly what made Toronto’s approach so effective: “The pack the paint defense. Send two at Donovan Mitchell. Play with pace, tempo. Pick up around the half court mark. Try and be physical, grabby. That kind of defense, taking the Cavs out of their rhythm, pushing them off of their spots, not allowing Evan Mobley to get comfortable, showing him bodies as well.”
This defensive approach was a calculated strategy that specifically targeted Cleveland’s offensive structure and star players. The Raptors prioritized stopping Donovan Mitchell and dared role players to beat them, a gamble that paid off in the form of holding the Cavs under 100 points for just the second time in the Kenny Atkinson era.
The conversation opened a larger discussion about potential playoff matchup concerns.
This past summer, the podcast had created a “biggest threats list” of teams that could derail the Cavs’ championship aspirations, and Toronto wasn’t included. Now, that assessment might need reconsideration.
What makes this particularly noteworthy is the timing.
It’s only November, yet patterns are emerging that could foreshadow playoff challenges. Just as the Pacers’ style became increasingly problematic for Cleveland last season, the Raptors’ approach — with their length, physicality, and defensive strategy — could represent another stylistic hurdle.
For Cavs fans, this raises important questions about roster construction and adaptability. Can Cleveland make adjustments to counter this defensive approach? Do they have enough shooting and secondary creation to punish teams that focus entirely on stopping Mitchell?
The answers to these questions could determine whether the Cavaliers can achieve their championship aspirations or face another disappointing playoff exit. The regular season isn’t just about accumulating wins — it’s about identifying and addressing these potential stylistic mismatches before the games matter most.
To hear the complete analysis of the Raptors’ defensive approach and what it might mean for the Cavaliers moving forward, check out the full Wine and Gold Talk podcast episode with Fedor and Ethan Sands.
Here’s the podcast for this week: