3 Takeaways for Toronto Raptors from their victory over Cleveland Cavaliers

#2 Defensive rebounding is a huge problem

Serge Ibaka

With head coach Nick Nurse choosing not to play Ibaka and Valanciunas together, the Raptors are paying for the decision to race up and down the court, in the small ball era, by failing to complete defensive possessions, with a rebound.

Defensive rebounding is a weak spot for this team, as they sit third from bottom in the league in this category. Defensively, the Raptors' ranking is good in every other measurable stat. On Thursday night, against the Golden State Warriors, the Raptors gave the defending NBA Champions, 17 offensive rebounds. However, against a team like Cleveland, the Raptors gave up 11 offensive rebounds and 7 of them to Tristan Thompson. Neither total is ideal.

Unlike adding scoring punch to the bench, this issue requires either a change in style of play or a change in personnel, to acquire a player, like Tristan Thompson, who can grab boards. Since such a move would be an expensive prospect requiring personnel changes through a big trade, and a shift, in the coaches rotations, it could mean a change, in team chemistry, to solve the issue.

With a win-loss record, of 20-4, maybe it's a minor flaw the fan base will have to endure, but it makes it hard in games to outpace an opponent if you keep giving them second and third opportunities to score.