Barrett’s Overtime Three Keeps Toronto Alive, Sets Up Game 7 in Cleveland
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The Toronto Raptors survived elimination Friday night when RJ Barrett buried a three-pointer with 10.9 seconds left in overtime, lifting the club to a 116-114 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers and forcing Game 7 on Sunday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The shot, which bounced off the back rim before dropping, sparked a wild celebration inside Scotiabank Arena. “As soon as I saw it go up, it didn’t waver,” rookie guard JaKobe Walter said. “I was like, ‘Hold up, that might go in.’”
Toronto trailed by one when forward Scottie Barnes inbounded the ball. Seeing the paint crowded by all five Cavaliers, Barnes kicked the pass to Barrett, stationed about three feet behind the arc. “He already told me coming out on the court, ‘I got you, just trust me,’” Barrett recalled.
Head coach Darko Rajaković said the staff had discussed using Barrett in late-game situations before tipoff. “I know it was half of a second, but it looked like an eternity,” he said. “I was just hoping—for him, for this city—that it would drop. And thank God it did.”
Extension Looms for Barrett
The 25-year-old wing will be eligible for a contract extension this summer, a decision that could push Toronto toward the luxury tax. Barrett is entering the final season of his current deal, and his postseason play has impressed decision-makers, according to TSN’s Josh Lewenberg.
Ingram’s Status Unclear
Brandon Ingram missed Game 6 with right heel inflammation and watched from the bench in a walking boot. The Cavaliers have not determined whether the All-Star forward will be available for Sunday’s winner-take-all matchup.
Temple’s Veteran Presence
General manager Bobby Webster praised 17-year veteran Garrett Temple for his behind-the-scenes influence on Toronto’s young roster. Temple appeared in just 22 games but finished fourth in the NBA’s Teammate of the Year voting. “There is nobody on the team I trust more about the pulse of the team,” Webster said, citing Temple’s mentorship of Barnes and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles. The 39-year-old guard becomes a free agent this summer and hopes to return for one more season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
