Scottie Barnes scored 22 points and the Toronto Raptors survived a frantic finish to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 100–99 on Friday night, extending their Eastern Conference first-round matchup to a winner-take-all Game 7.
Playing at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, the Raptors led for 75 percent of the night and were up by as many as 15, yet needed two late defensive stops to secure the one-point victory. Cleveland still holds a 3-3 series tie heading back to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for Sunday’s finale.
Key performers
Toronto: Barnes went 10-for-18 from the floor and added 13 assists, while RJ Barrett contributed 21 points and eight rebounds. Rookie forward Caison Murray-Boyles chipped in 15 points, and Ja’Kobe Walter provided a crucial layup with 3:58 remaining that kept Toronto in front.
Cleveland: Donovan Mitchell paced the Cavaliers with 22 points on 10-of-21 shooting. Evan Mobley posted 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Jarrett Allen finished with 14 points and 11 boards. James Harden recorded 12 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
By the numbers
- Field goals: Toronto 49 percent (36-74); Cleveland 44 percent (35-79)
- Three-pointers: Toronto 35 percent (11-31); Cleveland 29 percent (10-35)
- Free throws: Toronto 89 percent (17-19); Cleveland 70 percent (19-27)
- Rebounds: Toronto 43, Cleveland 32
- Turnovers: Toronto 13, Cleveland 14
Toronto played without Brandon Ingram (heel), Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) and Chucky Hepburn (knee), but compensated by dominating the glass and shooting nearly 90 percent from the line.
Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday in Cleveland. The winner will advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Source: ESPN
