The Toronto Raptors are now just one loss away from being eliminated from the NBA playoffs after falling 125-120 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series on Wednesday night at Rocket Arena.
Raptors fight hard but fall short
Despite a strong performance on the road, where the Raptors have historically struggled in the playoffs, Toronto could not hold onto a slim lead built through three quarters. The team started the fourth quarter ice cold and never recovered, allowing the Cavaliers to rally and take a 3-2 series lead.
The road team has yet to win a game in this series, which now heads back to Toronto for Game 6 on Friday. The Raptors have lost all 10 of their playoff games in Cleveland over four series, though the previous nine had been by an average margin of 20.1 points. This one was far more competitive.
Offensive struggles in the fourth
After a dreadful offensive display by both teams in Game 4, this contest featured much better attacking and finishing. However, Toronto's 2-for-10 start to the fourth quarter in the paint, combined with a 2-for-10 start from three-point range, made it extremely difficult to pull off the win.
Still, the Raptors fought until the end, closing within four points with under 24 seconds remaining. Ultimately, a team with limited offensive options, missing two of its best players and with superstar Scottie Barnes limping slightly, could not pull ahead in the series for the first time.
Key performances
- RJ Barrett led all scorers with 25 points, continuing his outstanding playoff run.
- Scottie Barnes recorded 17 points and 11 assists.
- Ja'Kobe Walter added 20 points.
- For Cleveland, James Harden and Evan Mobley each scored 23 points, Donovan Mitchell had 19, and Dennis Schroder contributed 19 points off the bench, including 11 in the fourth quarter.
Ingram injury
The Raptors lost leading regular-season scorer Brandon Ingram late in the first half to a right heel issue. Ingram had his foot re-taped but was unable to return. He had battled heel inflammation late in the season but had his healthiest season since his rookie year. Ingram, who was having a brutal series, took only two shots (both misses) and scored one point on a free throw in 12 minutes.
Toronto managed well without Ingram for much of the game but could have used his scoring in the fourth quarter when offense became difficult to generate.
Historically, Game 5 winners in a best-of-seven series that was tied 2-2 have gone on to win the series 81.5% of the time.
