Raptors Ride Barnes’ 33-Point Showcase to Take Game 3 from Cavaliers
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The Toronto Raptors stayed alive in their first-round series by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-104 in Game 3 at Scotiabank Arena, trimming the deficit to 2-1.
Scottie Barnes delivered 33 points, 11 assists and only one turnover, guiding a short-handed lineup that was missing guard Immanuel Quickley, who is out for the rest of the series with a hamstring injury. “What he does is just so special,” teammate Jamison Battle said. “That’s what you want from your leader.”
RJ Barrett, playing his first playoff contest on Canadian soil, matched Barnes with 33 points while adding five rebounds, five assists, two steals and six three-pointers on eight attempts. “He’s helping our team out so much,” Barnes said after the win. “RJ is amazing.”
Rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles came off the bench for 22 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes, underscoring the value of Toronto’s 2025 lottery pick. Battle, who saw only garbage-time action in the first two games, contributed 14 points on a perfect 4-for-4 from deep, hitting three straight triples to open the fourth quarter and give the Raptors control.
Cleveland’s Brandon Ingram was limited to 12 points, while the Cavaliers missed the chance to take a 3-0 stranglehold on the best-of-seven matchup.
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Toronto.
Source: Hoops Rumors
