Via 6 1/2 video games, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors scored the identical quantity of factors.
That’s how even these two groups performed of their first-round playoff collection.
The beginning of the second half is the place the No. 4-seeded Cavaliers jumped forward, taking their first lead in Sport 7 en path to beating the No. 5 Raptors 114-102 on Sunday evening at Rocket Enviornment to advance to the Jap Convention semifinals.
The Cavs protected residence court docket and can subsequent face the No. 1 Detroit Pistons, who superior after rallying from a 3-1 first-round deficit towards the No. 8 Orlando Magic. Sport 1 is scheduled for Tuesday in Detroit.
Jarrett Allen completed with 22 factors, 19 rebounds and three blocks for the Cavs, who received all 4 of their video games at residence. Donovan Mitchell had 22 factors and James Harden added 18 factors.
The Cavaliers’ lead grew to as many as 19 factors within the third quarter, widening the hole between the 2 groups that turned the primary to have the identical quantity of factors (669) by way of the primary six video games of a playoff collection in 10 years. The final time that occurred was within the 2016 NBA Finals, when Cleveland beat the Golden State Warriors and claimed the franchise’s first title.
Scottie Barnes had 24 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the Raptors, who fell to 0-11 in playoff video games in Cleveland, and RJ Barrett added 23 factors. Brandon Ingram (heel) missed his second straight recreation within the collection, and Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) missed each recreation.
Listed below are some key takeaways from Sport 7:
Cavs mix expertise, homecourt benefit
Effectively, I’ve my reply to my pondering out loud from the opposite evening. Sure, the Raptors may drive a Sport 7 in dramatic style, after which lose it.
The Cavs’ protection was sturdy for many of the first spherical, that and their bench. It’s in all probability essentially the most constant, optimistic themes to emerge from this collection.
Kenny Atkinson went again to his defense-first lineup with Dean Wade for Sport 7. What I like about it – aside from it really works, it was simply Cleveland’s greatest performing lineup analytically within the collection – is that it could actually work towards Detroit, too. I’d not be shocked to see Wade guard Cade Cunningham.
Max Strus, again in a reserve position, was nonetheless an vitality increase and an antagonizer. He tried to place his head by way of RJ Barrett at one level. Sam Merrill was the sharpshooter off the bench for Cleveland this time, however, once more, it was a collection the place, for essentially the most half, not less than one Cavs reserve was actually good every evening.
It was an annoying, irritating, underwhelming collection and it might be truthful to say the Raptors merely ran out of gas. The Cavs’ mixture of expertise and homecourt benefit was sufficient to outlast the opponent.
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden – man your positions for collection 2. You may be wanted. — Joe Vardon
Accidents an excessive amount of for Raptors to beat
The Toronto Raptors had been already with out Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley, who mix to make $70 million. But, it was when Jamal Shead, who’s making the minimal as a second-round choose from 2024’s draft, began hopping that the Raptors’ upset bid felt doomed.
The Raptors had been tied on the half, however they may not afford another departure. Shead, who had led the Raptors with 14 first-half factors, fell twice when guarding, one thing you hardly ever see from the pugnacious guard. He’s identified for his capacity to defend, however with the Cavaliers free to dedicate so many assets to slowing down Scottie Barnes given the opposite starters’ absence, the Raptors wanted Shead’s capacity to assault the paint. He supplied it within the first half, however hopping to the locker room was a foul signal.
He managed to return for the second half, however was clearly not himself. The Raptors had been one of many worst offensive groups to make it to the playoffs, and with out Shead’s paint stress, they had been with out the requisite engines. The Raptors wanted virtually 5 minutes to report a area objective within the third quarter, and the Cavaliers lastly created separation.
There isn’t any disgrace within the loss for the Raptors, who would have been a substantial underdog on this collection in the event that they had been wholesome. They weren’t. Sandro Mamukelashvili is Toronto’s most notable free agent, which may permit the Raptors to convey again the guts of their core. That doesn’t imply they need to — this group wants extra taking pictures prowess round Barnes badly. Regardless, they’ll really feel glorious about the way in which they comported themselves this season, and particularly this collection. — Eric Koreen
Allen rises to the event
The lights weren’t too shiny for Jarrett Allen this time. Allen’s monstrous third quarter snapped the Cavs from a first-half malaise that threatened their season and continued a pattern of the Cavs’ huge males bailing them out after they wanted it most.
It’s truthful to lash the Cavs for permitting this collection to increase to seven video games. Nonetheless, they confirmed the vitality and the battle within the second half mandatory for any likelihood at a deep postseason run and it was Allen who guided them. Beforehand on this collection, Evan Mobley had his moments.
The Cavs are nonetheless ready on their two greatest stars, Mitchell and Harden, to get scorching offensively. Each shot poorly in Sport 7 and struggled all through this collection however nonetheless have life due to the play of the Cavs’ bigs.
Allen, who famously admitted after a playoff collection loss to the Knicks that the lights had been too shiny for him and his teammates, scored 14 factors and grabbed 10 rebounds within the third quarter. Allen has been maligned throughout his time in Cleveland for vanishing within the playoffs and for not taking part in by way of a rib damage a few years in the past. This time, nonetheless, he was sensible when the Cavs desperately wanted him. — Jason Lloyd