Cleveland opened well, built through the middle quarters, and never really let Toronto get control of the game. The Cavaliers won the first quarter 35-31, added to that lead in the second, then used a 36-22 third quarter to break the opener open.
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 32 points and continued his habit of making series openers look comfortable. Max Strus added 24 points off the bench, James Harden had 22 points and 10 assists, and Evan Mobley chipped in 17. Cleveland had scoring punch from multiple places and enough structure to keep Toronto on the back foot.
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
The third quarter was the decisive stretch. Cleveland pushed the game out there and had a 100-76 lead early in the fourth. The Cavaliers also shot 16-for-32 from three and controlled the paint 52-36. Those are winning playoff numbers.
RAPTORS HAD A BALANCED ATTACK, BUT HORRIBLE D
RJ Barrett scored 24 points for Toronto, Scottie Barnes had 21 points and 7 assists, and Brandon Ingram and Jamal Shead each added 17. There was enough individual offense to keep the scoreboard moving, especially in the fourth quarter, but the Raptors never solved Cleveland’s balance.
TSP's TAKE
Harden and Mitchell looked very comfortable. That decided the game. Harden’s playoff choking legacy is earned, yes, but the squad he joined in Cleveland already has scars together. Toronto was playing its first playoff game as a group, and it looked like it.
The Raptors moved the ball well and finished with 29 assists. The problem was that they were playing at a rhythm Cleveland was fine with. Mitchell took everybody off the dribble whenever he wanted (11 buckets) and Harden didn't have to force anything (10 assists) . Brandon Ingram said it after the game: “they are professional scorers,” referring to Harden and Mitchell. He was right. Toronto has one true professional scorer right now, and it is Ingram. Scottie Barnes is a playmaker and a downhill force. RJ Barrett is good, but he still has to prove himself before he gets that label.