Gameday: Raptors @ Cavaliers, May 3

This one is for all the marbles. A miracle bounce has gotten Toronto into a spot that they could only dream of a week ago.

Series 3-3

Raptors Outlook

Record: 3-3 | 5th in Eastern Conference
Offensive Rating: 113.2 (5th) | Defensive Rating: 112.4 (10th) | Net Rating: 0.8 (8th)

Raptors previous results

vs Cavaliers W 112-110

@ Cavaliers L 125-120

vs Cavaliers W 93-89

vs Cavaliers W 126-104

@ Cavaliers L 115-105

@ Cavaliers L 126 – 113

The Raptors have done an unbelievable job of battling back in this series, as the two-zero deficit early on in the series could’ve spiralled out of control for Toronto, especially given that both games were not even close. And now, after a Kawhi Leonard-esque shot in overtime to keep the season alive, the Raptors have their second chance to take a lead in the series at the very end of it. It also doesn’t help that Toronto has been the more injured team in the series, as even if they had a short list with Immanuel Quickley most of the time, Cleveland has had a mostly fresh slate outside of missing Thomas Bryant for game one. The momentum is truly on the Raptors’ side, winning the last three of four games in the series, and all the games have been close, outside of the game 3 blowout win at home. A big question for this game, just like the last game, is the status of Brandon Ingram, who enters the day as a questionable tag. Although he’s had a rough series, Ingram had some big moments in game four to help Toronto even up the series.

Cavaliers Outlook

Record: 3-3 | 4th in Eastern Conference
Offensive Rating: 112.4 (7th) | Defensive Rating: 113.2 (12th) | Net Rating: -0.8 (9th)

Cavaliers previous results

@ Raptors L 112-110

vs Raptors W 125-120

@ Raptors L 93-89

@ Raptors L 126-104

vs Raptors W 115-105

vs Raptors W 126 – 113

Cleveland entered the series with a six-game advantage over the Raptors in the regular season to earn the right to home court advantage for the opening round matchup, and it has proved to be a pivotal one, as neither team has been able to win on the road so far after six games. In fact, Toronto has yet to win a playoff game in Cleveland, as they stand at 0-for-11 all-time in Ohio, a record that dates back to the LeBron era. Heck, they’ve even had the size advantage all series long, as Jakob Poeltl is the sole Raptor who stands at 7 feet; the next tallest Raptor who has played significant minutes is Sandro Mamukelashvili, standing at 6 feet 9 inches. They also have had the health advantage over Toronto all series long and will continue to do so tonight, with Immanuel Quickley definitely out for the game and Brandon Ingram potentially out. Cleveland enters as the favourites and seems to have all the advantages in their favour, but can they make use of all that and not squander a chance to advance into the second round in an Eastern Conference that looks totally up for grabs right now, with the elimination of Boston last night?

Game Info

Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. ET

Television: Sportsnet

Radio: Sportsnet 590

Venue: Rocket Arena

Starting Lineups (Projected)

Cleveland Cavaliers

PG: James Harden

SG: Donavan Mitchell

SF: Max Strus

PF: Evan Mobley

C: Jarrett Allen

Toronto Raptors

PG: Jamal Shead

SG: RJ Barrett

SF: Ja’Kobe Walter

PF: Scottie Barnes

C: Jakob Poeltl

Injury Report

Toronto Raptors

Immanuel Quickley (Right Hamstring Strain) – Out

Brandon Ingram (Right Heel Inflammation) – Questionable

Cleveland Cavaliers

N/A

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