Toronto gets best of Cavs

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

For some strange reason, the Toronto Raptors suddenly own the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Nobody can explain it. DeMar DeRozan, though, has a theory.

“LeBron ain’t here,” the Raptors guard joked.

Jerryd Bayless scored 20 points, Andrea Bargnani added 19 and Toronto slowed Cleveland’s unexpected playoff push with a 96-88 victory Tuesday night, the Raptors’ third win in three tries against the Cavaliers this season.

Bayless, starting in place of injured point guard Jose Calderon, added seven assists and helped contain rookie Kyrie Irving in 37 minutes while leading the Raptors to just their 14th win.

Leandro Barbosa added 17 points as Toronto won for only the fifth time in 14 games.

The Cavaliers had their winning streak stopped at three and blew a chance to move into a virtual tie with idle New York and Milwaukee for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Antawn Jamison, who has been mentioned in trade rumors all season, led the Cavs with 20 points. Irving scored 14 and Alonzo Gee 16.

Jamison can’t understand why the Raptors have been such an unsolvable riddle this season.

“Man, I don’t know,” Jamison said. “I’m so frustrated right now. I can’t put my finger on it.”

The Cavs were still within six points in the final minute when the mobile 7-foot Bargnani, who has been a matchup nightmare for Cleveland in the past, rebounded his own miss and dunked.