Final Score 115 - 105. Cleveland leads 2–0
⭐ Key Performers
Donovan Mitchell: 30 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
James Harden: 28 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals
Evan Mobley: 25 points, strong two-way impact
Jarrett Allen: Interior defense + efficient finishing
Mitchell and Harden combined for 58 points, controlling the game late with isolation and pick‑and‑roll offense
Scottie Barnes: 26 points, heavy usage across 40 minutes
RJ Barrett: 22 points, aggressive downhill play
Brandon Ingram: Struggled badly — 7 points on 3‑for‑15 shooting
Ingram’s inefficiency was a major blow, especially with Cleveland consistently crowding his mid‑range spots
📊 Game Flow & Key Moments
1st Half:
Cleveland set the tone early, holding Toronto to 19 first‑quarter points. Cavs led 54–48 at halftime, despite Toronto briefly stabilizing offensively. Harden scored 16 in the first half, repeatedly attacking mismatches
3rd Quarter:
Raptors cut the deficit to single digits with improved ball movement. Mobley punished switches inside, keeping Cleveland comfortably ahead
4th Quarter:
Toronto pulled within six points, but Cleveland closed with a decisive 14–4 run. Late-game offense became simple: isolate Mitchell or Harden, force doubles, punish rotations. Raptors committed 21 turnovers, killing any comeback hopes
🔍 Key Takeaways
Why Cleveland Won:
Backcourt dominance. Mitchell + Harden consistently broke Toronto’s perimeter defense
Poise late. Cleveland slowed the game and executed cleanly in crunch time
Defensive discipline. Raptors were held out of transition, a major part of Toronto’s identity
Why Toronto Lost:
Turnovers (21): Too many empty possessions in a playoff road game
Ingram neutralized: No free throws, poor shot quality, zero rhythm. Shoutout Dean Wade
Limited center usage: Jakob Poeltl played just 9 minutes because Cleveland was hunting him defensively