Cleveland Takes Control With Game 2 Win over Toronto
The hole just got a little deeper. After a tough drop in the series opener, the Toronto Raptors headed into Game 2 looking to even the score before heading back to the 6ix. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Cavaliers had other plans. Cleveland defended their home court with a 118-105 victory, pushing the Raptors into a 2-0 series deficit.
It’s a frustrating spot to be in, especially for a team that showed so much promise in the regular season, but as we know, the playoffs are a different beast entirely.
Cleveland Stays Hot
The Cavs picked up right where they left off in Game 1, using their size and home-court energy to keep Toronto on their heels.
Donovan Mitchell was once again a force, leading all scorers with 30 points. He seemed to have an answer every time the Raptors tried to mount a comeback. Supporting him was Evan Mobley, who dominated the interior with 22 points and 11 rebounds, making it difficult for Toronto to find easy buckets in the paint. Darius Garland also chipped in with 17 points, keeping the ball moving and the Raptors’ defense scrambling.
Raptors Struggle to Find Rhythm
The Raptors had their moments, but consistency remained the biggest hurdle.
Scottie Barnes led the way for Toronto, finishing as the team’s top scorer with 24 points. He was aggressive in transition and tried to spark the offense during several dry spells. RJ Barrett added 19 points, continuing to show he can be a reliable scoring option under the bright lights, while Immanuel Quickley contributed 16 points and 5 assists.
The Raptors’ bench provided some energy, but the team struggled to get enough stops on the defensive end to truly flip the script. When you’re playing a team as disciplined as Cleveland, every missed assignment and empty possession is amplified.
How Are We Looking?
Being down 2-0 is never the plan, but it’s not the end of the road. Historically, the “series doesn’t start until a home team loses.” The Raptors now return to Scotiabank Arena where the atmosphere will be electric. To get back in this, the defense has to tighten up, and the secondary scoring needs to be more consistent to take the pressure off Scottie Barnes.
Up Next: The series moves to Toronto for Game 3 on Thursday, April 3rd at 8:00 PM.
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
