TORONTO — The brooms were out Monday night.

Playing the second game of a back-to-back and third in four nights, the depleted Cavs lost to the surging Toronto Raptors, 110-99, inside raucous Scotiabank Arena.

The latest win gives Toronto the season series sweep — unless these two Eastern Conference rivals meet again in the NBA Cup.

For now, it’s the Raptors’ first time sweeping Cleveland since 2019-20.

“I thought we competed,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said following the loss. “There’s some positives. I liked our spirit. I liked our compete level.”

The Cavs entered the game without seven every-night rotation players — Darius Garland (injury management), Sam Merrill (sprained right hand), Jarrett Allen (strained right finger), De’Andre Hunter (rest), Craig Porter Jr. (left hamstring strain), Dean Wade (hyperextended knee) and Max Strus (foot surgery recovery).

That left them with 10 guys in uniform. At various points in a more-competitive-than-expected first half, it seemed like it might’ve been enough.

But Toronto, now on an eight-game winning streak, finished the second quarter on a 13-2 run, going in front by three at the break.

Cleveland never recovered.

The Raptors opened the third on a lively 6-2 push that forced Atkinson to call timeout. Moments later, that Toronto advantage reached 10 — the first time either team was in front by double digits.

By the 1:18 mark of the third quarter, the Toronto lead had ballooned to a game-high 14.

Even though Cleveland made a late push, cutting that deficit to four with 4:37 remaining, the Raptors got a few stops and made some timely shots, solidifying their third win over the Cavaliers.

Toronto led for the final 24:54.

Monday was the just the second time in the Atkinson era that Cleveland failed to crack the 100-point mark, snapping a streak of 62 consecutive games — regular season or playoffs.

“We can find better shots,” Atkinson said. “The big part of that is our spacing. Especially when we’re down some guys, our spacing has to be almost perfect. Right now, we’re still trying to figure it out because with spacing comes our cutting principles. A lot of things come off that, so get the spacing better, and our shot selection will improve.”

Donovan Mitchell, one of two usual Cavs starters in uniform, had just 17 points on an inefficient 6 of 20 from the field and 3 of 12 from 3-point range.

“I mean, they did a good job showing bodies, making it tough,” Mitchell said of the Raptors’ defensive strategy. “We weren’t able to get to the rim. Even when we tried, we missed some open looks. I’m really proud of how we fought. You take this and you learn from it, move on and don’t really hang your head on this one.”

Evan Mobley, the other starter who played, chipped in with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in 31 lackadaisical minutes. Jaylon Tyson had 15 points and nine boards while Nae’Qwan Tomlin finished with 14 off the bench.

“I can’t take him off the floor,” Atkinson said of Tomlin, who is still on a two-way contract. “He can defend his position. He’s got great energy. He’s flying. I’m just pinching myself because that guy’s gonna help us. It feels like he’s gonna help us win some big games. I feel like he really belongs.”

All 10 Cavaliers who suited up made at least one basket.

Toronto’s Brandon Ingram led all scorers with a season-high 37 points. Scottie Barnes stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, getting the better of his 2021 draft-night counterpart — Mobley — once again.

“I don’t think Evan had the juice tonight,” Atkinson admitted. “Just some nights are like that. We’ve been milking these guys. I knew coming into this game it was gonna be a tough one. Don, you could argue the same thing. He didn’t have his normal energy, normal juice, normal legs. It happens.”

Prior to the season, the Cavs were projected as one of the top teams in the East, seen as a co-favorite alongside New York. Nearly a quarter of the way through, nothing has changed on that front.

But it looks like they have company now.

Up next

The Cavs will have a few days off before traveling to Atlanta for a matchup against the Hawks on Friday night — the final Group Play game in the NBA Cup. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.