Toronto went to Cleveland with a singular mission. They wanted to do something neither team has done yet in this series: Win on the road. A challenging task on a regular day, even more so in the playoffs. The crowd is unwelcoming. The opponent is more comfortable. It’s no surprise they weren’t able to overcome the obstacle, dropping the game to Cleveland 120-125, but now will return home facing elimination, an even more daunting task.
This matchup was the complete opposite style of game 4. After both
teams scored in double figures the last time out, this contest saw both teams in triple figures before the fourth quarter even started. With a 40-point second quarter in the mix, there was no shortage of scoring.
At times, Toronto struggled with the same things they have all series: closing quarters, over-helping, and struggling from the free-throw line. They proved to be their undoing once again, as this will remain the game that got away.
Despite the struggles, there were a number of solid performances that helped give Raps fans some hope for when they return home. Barnes, Barrett, Murray-Boyles, and Walter all had excellent games, with the bench tandem of Shead and Mamu giving it their all as well.
Barnes finished with 17-5-9, playing a solid all-around game that no one could be mad about. He continues to impress as the floor general, generating a good portion of Toronto’s scoring, especially in the first half. RJ finished with 22-9-4, also a solid game for him as he continues to have a great series as well.
Murray-Boyles has been a difference maker in this series, his defensive effort and activity on the offensive board gaining Toronto extra possessions. Despite being undersized in some matchups, he continues to show no hesitation, even going toe-to-toe with Mobley:
Walter found his rhythm tonight, a welcome sight after an 0-9 performance in game 4. He took no time getting going, scoring 17 points in the first half alone, connecting consistently from long range.
The first looked like a summary of the entire series so far. Both teams exchanged baskets leading to a close quarter. Toronto was able to stay ahead for most of it, but had difficulty in the final minutes of the quarter, letting Cleveland close the quarter in the lead. Scottie was a big factor in the first, finding his own shot and distributing, imposing his will on the game.
In the second, the Raptors took their biggest hit so far with Ingram heading to the changeroom. Later it was announced he wouldn’t return as he continues to battle heel inflammation that he has struggled with since the late stages of the regular season. Already missing Quickley, this seemed like just another disadvantage for Toronto, but Ingram has struggled greatly, and this opened more minutes for Ja’Kobe who answered the call and made some big shots. The Raptors were able to outscore Cleveland by 11 in this frame, making tough defensive plays. It helped that it seemed like all of their shots were falling as well, letting them head to the locker room with a comfortable lead.
In the third, Cleveland answered Toronto’s challenge, with their bigs controlling much of the scoring early on. The Raptors simultaneously went through a scoring drought, all but eliminating the lead they held coming into the quarter. Every time Cleveland got close though, Toronto was somehow able to answer, capitalizing on turnovers or getting out and running to rebuild their lead. Rinse and repeat.
There was a fair amount of chippiness in this series that slowly seems to be bubbling up. A little bit of shoving, a little bit of exchanging words, and eventually a crowd or two forming through different stages of the game all indicate the longer this series goes on, the more tensions will escalate.
In the fourth, Cleveland finally managed to secure a lead, as Toronto came up empty on their first nine shots of the quarter. They blew the lid off though, coming up with big shots just as Cleveland started to pull away. With the game within just two points, it seemed like they were able to hold on and have a chance.
Perhaps a lack of discipline or maybe a bit of fatigue set in, but they allowed the Cavs to run away with the game by simply not doing any of the things they’d been doing all game that were working. The second and third effort on the boards, the help defence forcing turnovers, the second chance opportunities. They’d lift a shot, brick it, and then hustle back on defence. Their long range shots weren’t working (but continued jacking them), they were coughing it up in the paint, and couldn’t come away with the ball. They got the defensive stops, but converting in the clutch wasn’t in the cards tonight.
Toronto played the game of fouling for extra possessions, but it wasn’t enough with the lead Cleveland already had.
Now, they will regroup and review what went wrong in this game and return to their own home crowd, hoping to force a game seven. This chance will come Friday, May 1, as Toronto hosts the Caveliers.
