Cavs Stumble in Game 3 as Raptors Cut Series Gap
cavs-stumble-in-game-3-as-raptors-cut-series-gap
The Toronto Raptors overpowered the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-104 on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena, narrowing Cleveland’s playoff advantage to 2-1.
The game was even at intermission and the Cavaliers trailed by only two points entering the fourth quarter. Toronto then strung together a decisive run during the final eight minutes, capitalizing on Cleveland’s 23 turnovers and controlling the tempo the rest of the way.
Key performances
• Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 33 points on 11-of-17 shooting, repeatedly attacking the paint and setting the tone on both ends.
• RJ Barrett also scored 33, matching Barnes at the top of the box score.
• Reserve forward Jamison Battle added 14 points in 16 minutes, knocking down all four of his three-point attempts.
Cleveland’s struggles
Donovan Mitchell finished with 15 points on 7-for-16 shooting, while James Harden recorded 18 points on 5-of-13 from the field. Evan Mobley and Max Strus chipped in 15 apiece, and rookie Jaylon Tyson scored 13. None of the Cavaliers reached the 20-point mark, and the club shot 14-for-45 from beyond the arc.
Toronto, which ranked in the 20s league-wide in regular-season three-point percentage, connected on 61 percent of its long-range attempts Thursday.
What’s next
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, again in Toronto, where the Raptors will try to even the best-of-seven series.
Source: Hoops Wire
