The Toronto Raptors sitting Kyle Lowry out for last two games against bottom-of-the-barrel opponents has ostensibly been for rest.

Yet it's understood the All-Star point guard is dealing with some nagging soreness, and he will sit out again Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The idea of being without the Raptors' best player against a team that's charging up behind them in the Eastern Conference standings may cause panic or anger among Toronto fans, but it's understood that the team's workhorse needs a few games to catch his breath after essentially carrying the team through parts of the first half of the season. Following the Cavs game, the Raps go on the road for matchups against the Hornets, Thunder and Spurs.

In 58 games, Lowry is averaging 18 points, 4.6 rebounds, seven assists and 1.5 steals with a robust 19.4 player efficiency rating - all strong marks. More complex statistics back up his solid play, with the first-time All-Star ranking 10th in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus-based Wins Above Replacement and 24th in Basketball-Reference's Win Shares.