Dean Wade is unsung hero for Cavs against Raptors

Dean Wade is one of the Cavaliers' unsung heroes who is sometimes ignored by the fans. However, the forward's importance to the team's success isn't overlooked by coaches and teammates. He's had a big hand in Cleveland's 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against the Toronto Raptors. The 6-foot-9, 225-pounder will be under the spotlight at 8 tonight as the Eastern Conference first-round series shifts to the Scotiabank Arena. Toronto will do everything in its power to get forward Brandon Ingram going in Game 3. Wade has stopped Ingram in his tracks in the first two games, holding him to .333 shooting from the field (8-for-24) and 12.0 points per game. The 6-8, 205-pounder averaged a team-high 20.5 points during the regular season. Limiting Ingram has been crucial in the early stages of this series. "When he gets going, they get going," Wade said. "The biggest thing for us is staying with the game plan and not having any slippages. You have to lock in on the small details. A lot of things go through him." Wade said he tries to wear down Ingram and hope that he's a bit fatigued at the end of the games. "I want to be disruptive, be physical, make things tough on him and compete at the highest level on every possession," he said. "It's a lot of responsibility." Wade is averaging 4.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in the first two games. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson commended his starting small forward for his defense. "It's a luxury to have a 6-9 wing defender," he said. "He's a stopper. He's been phenomenal. B.I. is going to keep coming at you." Cleveland power forward Evan Mobley is known as a top defender. He said Wade plays defense "on a high level." "He's being physical and is locked in on his assignment," he said. "He's trying to make it tough on Brandon Ingram every second of the game. "He always does a great job. He's definitely underrated. He's a great piece for us." Wade, who is an unrestricted free agent after this season, said he used to get down in the dumps when he played good defense on someone and they still scored. "It's easier for me now," he said. "I can't get down on myself. My job is to force them into tough shots." Wade added that having veteran players on the team has helped with his mental approach. The Kansas State product has been guarding the top offensive threats on the opposing team for about three seasons now. "He is one of the best defenders I've seen," Cavs guard Dennis Schroder said. "What he's been doing with B.I. is impressive. He's the best defender on our team. We need him to do that. He's in a great space right now." Wade isn't the only defensive-first player on the team. Max Strus, Jaylon Tyson, Keon Ellis and Schroder are also good defenders. Tyson was asked to defend the 6-8, 237-pound Scottie Barnes in Game 2. "I told him, 'Chin up, chest out,' " Wade said. "(Barnes) is an All-Star. He's done this a long time. He had a few calls that went against him. Everyone knows what type of player he is. I told him yesterday, 'You did your job.' " Having so many willing defenders is certainly not a bad thing for Cleveland. "It's advantageous for us to have so many different pieces," Wade said. "We can match up with anybody. Defensively, (Tyson) and (Strus) fit right in. There are no slippages when they come in." The Cavs know what they're up against tonight in Toronto. The Raptors came after them hard in Game 2 and were able to withstand what Atkinson called a "hurricane." "This one is a mental game," Schroder said. "We have to go up there and be focused. We're up 2-0 and have to go up there and fight. It's the first to four, not the first to two." Scoring machine Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell is averaging 28.4 points in 65 career playoff games, sixth best in NBA history. Only Michael Jordan (33.4), Luka Doncic (30.9), Allen Iverson (29.7), Kevin Durant (29.3) and Jerry West (29.1) are better. Mitchell has recorded 30 or more points in 14 postseason games, including six of the last seven since 2025. Mitchell is averaging 33.3 points in his last seven playoff games. Only LeBron James (77) has more 30-point postseason games in franchise history. NFL draft The 2026 NFL Draft will start at the same time as Game 3. Jaylon Tyson is curious where his brother, Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, will be drafted. "He tells me he could be a top-10 pick," Atkinson said. "That would be awesome. We'll be playing during the draft. We'll get the news to him somehow. That's his brother." Jaylon has had a rough go of it in the first two games, mostly because of foul trouble. "He's going to have a big game," Atkinson said. "I can almost guarantee it. It's only a matter of time. I'm loving what I've seen from him." Tyson got into a little skirmish with Barnes in Game 2 and each player earned a technical foul. "(Tyson) doesn't back down from anyone," Mobley said. Atkinson said he doesn't want Tyson to change the way he's been playing. "We need that from J.T.," he said. "Just be yourself. You have to have that edge. I don't want him to back down." Clean slate The Cavs might not have anyone on the injury list for Game 3. Backup center Thomas Bryant has missed the first two games of the playoffs with a calf injury. However, he went through the entire practice Wednesday and will likely be available. Contact Bob Finnan at (440) 329-7135 or rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.