Barrett's Buzzer-Beater Forces Game 7 as Raptors Edge Cavaliers in Overtime Thriller

Key facts

• RJ Barrett hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 0.3 seconds left in overtime to give the Raptors a 116-113 win over the Cavaliers.
• The victory tied the first-round playoff series at 3-3, forcing a Game 7 in Cleveland.
• James Harden recorded 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in the win.
• In a separate game, the Pistons erased a 24-point deficit to beat the Magic 112-108, tying their series at 3-3.
• Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Detroit, setting a playoff career high.
• The Magic scored only 19 points in the second half and 8 in the fourth quarter after leading by 24.
• NBA official 'gravity' ratings show Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading at 26.6, with a Lakers sharpshooter second.

Lede: A Shot That Saved a Season

RJ Barrett rose above a defender in the corner and let fly a three-pointer that kissed the net as the buzzer sounded, giving the Toronto Raptors a 116-113 overtime victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. The win evened the first-round playoff series at three games apiece, forcing a decisive Game 7 in Cleveland on Sunday. Barrett finished with 28 points, but none bigger than his final shot. The Raptors, who trailed by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter, refused to fold, extending their season for at least one more game.

The Final Sequence: How Toronto Stole the Win

With the score tied at 113 and 18 seconds left in overtime, the Cavaliers had possession but turned the ball over under pressure from Toronto's defense. The Raptors pushed the ball upcourt, and Barrett received a pass on the left wing, pump-faked, took one dribble to his right, and launched over the outstretched arm of a defender. The ball splashed through with 0.3 seconds remaining. Cleveland's last-ditch heave fell short, and the Scotiabank Arena crowd erupted. The Raptors had avoided elimination and forced a winner-take-all contest.

Harden's All-Around Effort Anchors Toronto

James Harden, acquired midseason in a blockbuster trade, contributed 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. His steady hand in the fourth quarter and overtime helped settle the Raptors after they had squandered an early lead. Harden's performance, though not flashy, was critical in a game where every possession mattered. He also drew two charges in the final minutes, a defensive effort that has defined his playoff tenure in Toronto.

Detroit's Stunning Comeback Forces Game 7 Against Orlando

In the Eastern Conference's other first-round series, the Detroit Pistons mounted a historic rally, overcoming a 24-point deficit to defeat the Orlando Magic 112-108 and tie their series at 3-3. The Pistons outscored Orlando 68-37 in the second half, holding the Magic to just 19 points after halftime—the lowest second-half total in any playoff game this season. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 32 points and 10 rebounds, setting a playoff career high. The Pistons, who had been written off after falling behind early, showed remarkable resilience.

Orlando's Collapse: A Tale of Two Halves

The Magic dominated the first half, building a 71-44 lead with 2:30 left in the second quarter. But their offense evaporated in the third quarter, scoring only 11 points, and they managed just 8 points in the fourth. Orlando shot 4-of-22 from the field in the final period and committed 6 turnovers. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said after the game, 'We stopped moving the ball and started settling for jump shots. That's not who we are.' The loss was especially painful given that Orlando had a chance to close out the series at home.

NBA's Gravity Ratings: Gilgeous-Alexander Leads the Pack

The NBA released its official 'gravity' ratings, a metric measuring how much defensive attention a player draws. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tops the list with a rating of 26.6, far ahead of the second-place player, a Los Angeles Lakers sharpshooter whose rating was not disclosed. The metric, introduced this season, tracks how often a player's defender is pulled away from the paint or a teammate, creating space. Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to collapse defenses has been a key factor in the Thunder's surprising playoff run.

What's Next: Game 7s and the Road Ahead

Both the Raptors-Cavaliers and Pistons-Magic series now head to Game 7s, with home-court advantage for Cleveland and Orlando respectively. The winners will advance to the second round, where the top-seeded Boston Celtics await. For Toronto, the challenge is clear: win on the road against a Cavaliers team that has been dominant at home all season. For Detroit, the momentum from their historic comeback could carry them past a reeling Orlando squad. One thing is certain: the first round of these playoffs has already delivered drama worthy of a championship.

The bottom line

• RJ Barrett's buzzer-beating three-pointer in overtime forced a Game 7 between the Raptors and Cavaliers, with the winner facing the Celtics.
• James Harden's near-triple-double (16-9-9) was instrumental in Toronto's survival, particularly his defensive plays down the stretch.
• The Pistons erased a 24-point deficit to beat the Magic 112-108, tying their series at 3-3 behind Cade Cunningham's 32-point, 10-rebound performance.
• Orlando's second-half collapse—scoring just 19 points—was the worst half by any team in the 2025 playoffs, raising questions about their offensive system.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the NBA in gravity rating (26.6), a new metric that quantifies a player's ability to draw defensive attention.