Cavaliers fall in OT thriller, Raptors force Game 7 in Cleveland
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TORONTO — The Cleveland Cavaliers surrendered a late lead and dropped a 112-110 overtime decision to the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, setting up a decisive Game 7 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
With Cleveland up 109-108 and 12 seconds remaining in overtime, Dennis Schröder’s pass to Evan Mobley was knocked off the forward’s leg and out of bounds. On the next possession, RJ Barrett launched a contested three-pointer from the top of the key; the shot bounced high above the rim and fell through, putting Toronto ahead for good with 5.6 seconds left. Barrett finished with 25 points.
The Cavaliers, who have lost three times in the series largely because of turnovers, committed 18 Friday — including the decisive late miscue — after coughing up 23 in Game 5. Despite outrebounding Toronto 52-38, Cleveland could not overcome the giveaways or an uneven 19-for-27 showing at the foul line.
Mobley paced the Cavaliers with 26 points and 14 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell scored 24, and James Harden posted 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Jarrett Allen contributed 14 points and seven boards but missed four of six free throws. Dean Wade added 10 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Toronto prevailed without injured starters Brandon Ingram (knee) and Immanuel Quickley (ankle). Scottie Barnes and rookie JaKobe Walter each supplied 24 points, while young reserve Collin Murray-Boyles continued to provide key minutes.
Cleveland erased a 15-point second-half deficit and held the Raptors to 12 points in the fourth quarter, but the visitors are now 4-11 in their last 15 road playoff games.
“This is why you fight so hard to get home-court advantage,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “We’ve got to recover and get ready for Sunday’s game.” Mitchell echoed the sentiment: “Protect home court. That’s all we can do.”
Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The winner will open the second round Tuesday against either Orlando or Detroit, who are also headed to a Game 7 after the Pistons rallied past the Magic on Friday.
Source: Hoops Wire
