Gameday: Raptors @ Cavaliers, April 20
Toronto was off to a great start, but at the end of the first quarter, the lead that they held for almost all of the opener slipped away in a matter of seconds. Still, they played well enough to go into halftime only down by seven. In the third quarter, Cleveland came out firing, and Toronto’s offence was dry for a long period, with a 36-22 quarter for the Cavaliers that all but sealed game one in favour of the home team.
Series 1-0 Cleveland
Raptors Outlook
Record: 0-1 | 5th in Eastern Conference
Offensive Rating: 115.3 (5th) | Defensive Rating: 127.3 (15th) | Net Rating: -12.0 (13th)
Raptors previous results
@ Cavaliers L 126 – 113
The Raptors will look to rebound in Game 2 with a win, as that would send them back to Toronto with a tied series at one game each and swing the home court advantage in their favour. Toronto shunned their All-Star and leading scorer in the second half, as Brandon Ingram registered only 4 points, all on free throws, and had only 1 field goal to his name after a 13-point first half, where he carried most of the offence as the team’s hot three-point shooting cooled off. Also, their identity as a running team, who capitalize on the other team’s mistakes, wasn’t the case in game one as they actually forced Cleveland into 17 turnovers, but were only able to come away with three points off of the Cavs errors. Can the potential return of Immanuel Quickley help the Raptors steal one on the road, or will he be out yet again, which probably means Jamal Shead will get another start at the point guard position, as he had a great game beyond the arc, shooting five for six from three-point land.
Cavaliers Outlook
Record: 1-0 | 4th in Eastern Conference
Offensive Rating: 127.3 (2nd) | Defensive Rating: 115.3 (12th) | Net Rating: +12.0 (4th)
Cavaliers previous results
vs Raptors W 126 – 113
Cleveland came into this series having been swept by the Raptors in the regular season, but it was all prior to their deadline acquisition of James Harden. They’ve been a much better team since the beard has arrived in Cleveland, and it showed on Saturday. Harden, usually mocked for his playoff failures, didn’t show any in game one shooting just below fifty percent from the field as he came away with a 22-point and 10-assist double-double. His backcourt partner, Donovan Mitchell, was even better with 32 points, good enough for the third-highest in the playoffs right now, even though it’s still early going. Cavs fans had a moment of scare when he left for the locker room but returned shortly after. Cleveland also attacked Jakob Poeltl all game long with pick-and-rolls, and it was working almost every time as they were able to get whatever look they wanted off the action, mostly with Jarrett Allen or Evan Mobley finishing at the rim, as it forced Poeltl to step up and respect Mitchell or Harden’s shot.
Game Info
Tip-Off: 7:00 p.m. ET
Television: TSN
Radio: TSN Radio 1050
Venue: Rocket Arena
Starting Lineups (Projected)
Cleveland Cavaliers
PG: James Harden
SG: Donavan Mitchell
SF: Dean Wade
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen
Toronto Raptors
PG: Jamal Shead
SG: RJ Barrett
SF: Brandon Ingram
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Jakob Poeltl
Injury Report
Toronto Raptors
Immanuel Quickley (Right Hamstring Strain) – Questionable
Cleveland Cavaliers
Thomas Bryant (Left Calf Strain) – Out
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