Cavaliers Dominate Game 7, Eliminate Raptors 114-102 to Advance to Semifinals

Key facts

• Cavaliers defeated Raptors 114-102 in Game 7 on May 3 at Rocket Arena.
• Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell each scored 22 points for Cleveland; Allen grabbed 19 rebounds.
• James Harden added 18 points, six rebounds for the Cavs; Evan Mobley and Sam Merrill scored 13 points each.
• RJ Barrett led Toronto with 23 points; Scottie Barnes had 24 points.
• Cleveland outrebounded Toronto 60-33.
• The Cavaliers have never lost a Game 7 at home (4-0 all-time).
• Cleveland will face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals starting May 5.
• Toronto played without starters Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) and Brandon Ingram (heel inflammation).

Cavs Dominate Third Quarter to Seize Control

The Cleveland Cavaliers turned a tight contest into a commanding lead with a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Toronto Raptors 34-20 to build an 88-72 advantage entering the final period. The home team had won every game in the series, and Game 7 was no exception. Center Jarrett Allen and guard Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 22 points apiece, with Allen also pulling down 19 rebounds. James Harden contributed 18 points and six rebounds, while Evan Mobley and Sam Merrill each scored 13 points. Small forward Max Strus added 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The Cavaliers' rebounding dominance was a decisive factor, as they outrebounded Toronto 60-33, limiting the Raptors to one-and-done possessions on offense.

Raptors' Gutsy Run Falls Short Without Key Stars

Toronto entered Game 7 shorthanded, missing point guard Immanuel Quickley (strained right hamstring) and all-star forward Brandon Ingram, who was ruled out less than two hours before tipoff due to aggravated inflammation in his right heel. Ingram had been the team's scoring leader during the regular season. Despite the absences, the Raptors fought back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Center Jakob Poeltl and guard RJ Barrett made layups to cut the lead to 99-84 with 5:52 left, but Cleveland responded each time. Barrett finished with 23 points, and Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 24 points. Second-year guards Ja'Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead started in place of Quickley and Ingram; Walter scored 24 points in Game 6 but was held to 12 in Game 7.

Barrett's Game 6 Heroics Set Stage for Decisive Game

The Raptors forced Game 7 with a dramatic 112-110 overtime victory on May 1 at Scotiabank Arena. RJ Barrett drilled a 29-foot three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime, a shot that bounced high off the rim before swishing through the net. 'Forget everything that’s happened,' Barrett said afterward. 'Now, it’s one game to win it all.' Scottie Barnes recorded a double-double with 25 points and 14 assists, while Barrett added 24 points and nine rebounds. Evan Mobley had his best performance of the series with 26 points and 14 rebounds for Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell overcame a slow start to finish with 24 points, and James Harden flirted with a triple-double (16 points, nine rebounds, nine assists). Toronto's victory kept both teams unbeaten at home in the series, setting up a winner-take-all showdown in Cleveland.

Cleveland's Historic Home-Court Edge in Game 7s

The Cavaliers improved to 4-0 all-time in Game 7s played at home, having previously beaten the Washington Bullets (1976), Boston Celtics (1992), Indiana Pacers (2018) and Orlando Magic (2024). Several current Cavaliers—Mitchell, Mobley, Allen, Max Strus, Dean Wade and Sam Merrill—were part of the 2024 series win over Orlando, which also saw every game won by the home team. 'Protect home court, that’s all you can do. We’ve got to protect home court,' Mitchell said after Game 6. The Raptors have never won a postseason game in Cleveland in 10 attempts. Cleveland's 60-33 rebounding edge in Game 7 was the largest disparity in the series, underscoring their physical dominance inside.

Raptors' Season Ends, but Barnes Emerges as Cornerstone

Despite the elimination, Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic praised his team's resilience. 'We were close,' he said. 'There is going to be a lot of stuff to reflect on and improve on going forward.' The Raptors had been swept in the first two games of the series, but rallied to take a 3-2 lead before falling in Game 7. Scottie Barnes emerged as a force, averaging a double-double in the series and proving he can be the centerpiece of Toronto's future. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles and second-year guards Ja'Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead also stepped up in the absence of Ingram and Quickley. Barrett averaged a series-high 24.3 points per game, cementing his role as a clutch performer. 'Glory to God, that was a fun one, right?' Rajakovic said after Game 6. 'It was a heck of a fight. We just talked about how much fun this is and how much we loved the challenge.'

Cavs Advance to Face Pistons in Eastern Semifinals

With the win, the fourth-seeded Cavaliers advance to face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game 1 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in Detroit. Cleveland will look to carry forward the momentum from their home-court dominance, while the Pistons will have had several days of rest after sweeping their first-round series. The Cavaliers' depth—six players scored in double figures in Game 7—could pose matchup problems for Detroit. For the Raptors, the offseason begins with questions about Ingram's health and the development of their young core. But as Barrett noted, 'Now, it’s one game to win it all.' That opportunity slipped away in Cleveland.

The bottom line

• Cleveland's 60-33 rebounding edge and third-quarter surge decided Game 7.
• Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell each scored 22 points; Allen grabbed 19 rebounds.
• Toronto played without Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram due to injuries.
• RJ Barrett's Game 6 buzzer-beater forced the decisive game, but the Raptors couldn't overcome their road woes.
• Scottie Barnes averaged a double-double in the series, establishing himself as Toronto's franchise cornerstone.
• The Cavaliers have never lost a Game 7 at home (4-0) and will face the top-seeded Pistons in the semifinals.