CLEVELAND – Once again without point guard Fred VanVleet, the Toronto Raptors never managed to start their attack and lost 104-96 to the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

In addition to VanVleet, Nick Nurse’s team also had to manage without a replacement Malachi Flynn, who will be out indefinitely due to injury.

So it was rookies Scottie Barnes and Dalano Banton who shared the task of organizing the Raptors’ attack.

After 13 points at halftime, the visitors managed to reduce the difference to 11 points after three quarters, but the offensive production never took off.

A desperate push at the end of the fourth quarter allowed the Raptors to save face by reducing the difference to five points at one point, but it was too much too late.

Pascal Shiakam had 24 points, Chris Bauser 21, while Barnes and Gary Trent Jr. contributed 19 points each.

Barnes scored twice and collected 12 rebounds.

In the win, Cavs rookie Evan Mobley had 20 points and 17 rebounds. Laurie Markanen had 22 points.

This gain mainly allowed the Cavaliers to strengthen their position in 6th place in the Eastern District, ahead of the Raptors. It was just the second victory in eight games for the Ohio team.