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If you’re willing to invest your time in it, the Summer League is good for oddities. It starts with a showcase for lottery picks, as we drool over 19-year-olds schooling players bound for the G League. Then, it becomes a question of who will make rosters. Guys like Rawle Alkins make their pitch for a two-way contract. Finally, it reaches a state of apathy — as observers and teams alike make a bid for a title that, hopefully, some will remember.
It’s also the only place where a team with a .000 regular season record can make a run at the title! So here we find the Toronto Raptors, just three wins away from doing just that. Tonight, they’ll play their quarterfinal one-and-done against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a familiar foe with none of the familiar faces. All eyes continue to be on lottery selection Collin Sexton, who is getting an audition for what might be a starting point guard job in the NBA come autumn.
The Raptors, meanwhile, are doing it from the team angle (as I understand it, a man who does not invest his time in the Summer League). Alkins had a 25-point, 11-rebound outing against Charlotte yesterday, but there’s been shots made by Giddy Potts, and the all-around play of Malachi Richardson.
Now, to watch and see if Cleveland really has Toronto’s number — no matter who’s wearing the jersey.
Where to Watch
NBA League Pass, 6 p.m. EST
Lineups
Toronto - Rawle Alkins, Malachi Richardson, Codi Miller-McIntyre, Alfonzo McKinnie, Shevon Thompson
Cleveland - Collin Sexton, John Holland, Marcus Lee, Jamel Artis, Okaro White
Injuries
Toronto - Malcolm Miller (shoulder), Fuquan Edwin (knee), OG Anunoby (rest), Jordan Loyd (back spasms, day-to-day)
Cleveland - Cedi Osman (rest), Ante Zizic (rest)