RAPTORS vs CAVALIERS GAME 2: POST GAME REACTION – PULL UP TRE PODCAST

Tre and Samson recap game 2 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cavaliers and the Raptors.

From Samson’s piece:

“The shot quality compared to game 1 was far worse, but unfortunately for the Raptors, both Harden & Mitchell are top class difficult shot makers and were putting on a show. The arena damn near erupted when Harden dropped Barnes with a cross and banged a step back triple. The possession prior he hit a heavily contested, doubled triple as the shot clock expired. Pure wizardry.

It got to a point where Barrett was basically the only capable and dependable creator in the halfcourt for the Raptors. He was resilient, clever, and tough. He produced. The Raptors were getting nothing like that from their two All-Stars, unfortunately. They kept pushing and scoring in the open court, which was really important, but it was clear that the Raptors couldn’t solve the Cavaliers offense — it was why I was so worried about the Cavs matchup, as opposed to the Knicks — but they were also very clearly struggling to score against a Cavs team that ranked 18th in defense since Harden’s arrival (and 15th overall). The Cavaliers were having a much easier time ameliorating their limitations and flexing their advantages than the Raptors were.

In the end though, the Raptors didn’t have enough juice. Even when they could grind and work their way to a bucket, real manufacturing, laborious and triumphant, but paling in comparison to what the Cavaliers could do. It was, of course, trading 2’s for 3’s, but in some cases trading nothing for something.

The Raptors scraped and clawed, with rookies, with young guns, without their big starting center, and with their hot shot scorer putting up a 2-14 performance. They came up empty.

On to Game 3 and the cozy confines of Scotiabank Arena.”

Have a blessed day.

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