Quick Reaction: Raptors 105, Cavaliers 115

Was active getting a couple of o-boards and a tip back on the offensive glass early. But was still getting deep fried anytime he had to guard in space. Barnes, Murray-Boyles and Mamukelashvili quickly took on the bulk of the frontcourt minutes as Poeltl’s defence became increasingly untenable. He sat down for the remainder of the game at halftime as a result.

The Raptors and Barnes need, need, to find a way to get him catching with momentum towards the basket or playing against mismatches. Just needs to play with more force. There were moments where he appeared to summon the gusto to really go for the rim – namely running out off a James Harden make after he allowed the blow by. To his credit he made the middies and 3s he settled for, but it’s just not going to cut it. Was important helping fuel the Raptors transition attack in the second but wasn’t rebounding enough … Cranked it up a notch in the fourth. Finally brought the force through traffic off a CMB screen for an and-1. Then made a baseline bully drive for a lay down to CMB. Then another tough take through Mobley for an off-handed reverse. Fourth-quarter Scottie was real but they need him for the other three.

Fought through the Dean Wade top lock to draw a foul. But when the team got him looks early, they wouldn’t go down. Had zero points on 0-of-6 through the first half. Did have much better process in his second stint, as he drew defenders and set up Mamu with two quality shots. Ran 77 skip for him, he slashed middle with determination and canned his first make of the game. Then hit a corner catch-and-shoot the next trip down. He did guard admirably at times, while still getting shredded at others, and he was important on the glass. But the Raptors needed so much more.

Was still getting absolutely carved in the pick n’ roll. Allowed Allen a straight slip to the rim off a switch. Got burned plenty but did keep Mitchell in front on an iso drive for a miss. His downhill slalom and propensity to churn endlessly forward on the break was the primary driver of Toronto’s offence. Such a stark contrast between each side of the floor and unfortunately comes out in the wash as just OK. Was killer on the glass though and kept bashing his way down the lane to points. The relentless offence ended up trumping the hapless defence in this one.

Did his job, finishing plays and guarding in space dependably. Had a great run where he canned a 3, had a great take against a Mobley closeout and finished a tough touch shot from the short-mid range over the former DPOY. Then hammered a big trailer dunk off a dump off from RJ in transition. He was an important part of the Raptors playing fast. Had another great pump-and-go for a finish at the rim in the fourth to force a Cavs timeout.

Got into the game as the ninth man and showed zero hesitation letting it fly and taking it hard to the rim for free throws. Lawson’s going to play his game. Was also effective guarding in space during his brief second-quarter minutes.

Guarded Harden early … which was bad. Enjoy Sheads’s smart, fast-paced, plucky game, but he’s frankly looked overmatched in this series. Aside from hitting a career high in made 3s Game 1 when Cleveland dared him to. Later he kept Harden in front, but he canned an absurd late-clock contested 3 anyway.

Had a shaky start with a rushed turnover on the break and missed wide-open corner 3 but recovered to make a couple. His usually super-glue like on ball defence has lost some of its stick so far in the playoffs. Like worn-down tape. Guess that’s what a Harden-Mitchell backcourt will do. Still thought he should’ve played more of Shead’s minutes. Maybe retaped his point-of-attack chops at half because he did a better job sticking to Harden.

Murray-Boyles may get put in more difficult positions than any other rookie. He’s been asked to play up at the five – often against the titans of the league – all season long and he’s done it with aplomb. Finished well both at the rim and showed a deft touch from the short-mid range (despite his tape-attached thumb). Put in a Herculean effort on the offensive glass, including a huge high-point board and putback over Allen. Got his Magneto mitts on the ball while playing up at the level for a steal. Truly unbelievable, grown-man play from a 20-year-old rookie.

Disagreed with the decision to start Shead and Poeltl in favour of Walter and CMB. Credit him with making the halftime adjustment and starting Murray-Boyles for Poeltl after his defence was simply unsustainable. Still thought Walter should have played more of Shead’s minutes. Also thought they could’ve been more creative in the halfcourt against a relatively porous Cavaliers perimeter defence to help shift the backline and get better looks at the rim. They finished with a 27th percentile 89.3 offensive rating in the halfcourt. He changed up the defence to positive effect though. And it wasn’t Darko on the court throwing the ball away.