The 6ix is officially loud again as Game 3 Victory Shakes Up the Series!
After a grueling start in Cleveland, the Toronto Raptors returned to Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night and reminded everyone why home-court advantage matters. In a high-stakes Game 3, Toronto dismantled the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-104, snapping a 12-game playoff losing streak against the Cavs and proving this series is far from over.
With the series now at 2-1, the momentum has shifted. The energy in the building was electric, and for a Raptors team that many had written off after Game 2, this was the ultimate statement win.
A Night for the Record Books
This wasn’t just a win; it was a historic performance that rewrote the franchise record books.
Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett put on a clinic, with each scoring a career playoff-high 33 points. This marks the first time in Raptors history that two teammates have scored 30+ points in the same playoff game since Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan achieved the feat back in 2016. Seeing that kind of dual-threat dominance again felt like a passing of the torch to Toronto’s new era of leadership.
But the history didn’t stop there. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles delivered a performance for the ages, scoring 22 points off the bench. That is officially the most points ever scored by a Raptors rookie in a playoff game, surpassing the previous record of 15 held by Scottie Barnes (2022). Murray-Boyles was incredibly efficient, shooting 11-of-15 from the field and proving he isn’t afraid of the postseason spotlight.
Balanced Attack and Defensive Grit
While the stars shone bright, this was a total team effort. Jamison Battle came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring all 14 of his points in the final frame to help Toronto pull away. Brandon Ingram added 12 points, playing a disciplined game despite early foul trouble.
On the defensive end, the Raptors finally found an answer for Cleveland’s stars. They held James Harden to just 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting and limited Donovan Mitchell to 15 points. By forcing the Cavs into tough shots and winning the rebounding battle, Toronto dictated the tempo from start to finish.
Cleveland in the 6ix: A City-Wide Rivalry
It’s a “Cleveland vs. Toronto” kind of week here in the city. While the Raptors are battling the Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena, just down the street at the Rogers Centre, the Toronto Blue Jays are hosting the Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians took the first game of that series on Friday, but with the Raptors showing how to defend home turf, we’re looking for a city-wide sweep of Cleveland this Sunday!
What’s Next?
The job isn’t done yet. The Raptors still trail the series 2-1, making Game 4 absolutely critical. If Toronto can hold serve at home again, we head back to Cleveland with a brand-new series tied at 2-2.
Up Next: Game 4 is Sunday, April 26th at 1:00 PM at Scotiabank Arena.
Get your gear ready and keep that same energy from Thursday night. We need the North to be as loud as possible to even this thing up!
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
