The Cavaliers defeat the Raptors, 114-102, to clinch the series 4-3 and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
In an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers tied at three games apiece and the aggregate score tied at 669-669 through six games, a tie score at halftime of Game 7 was appropriate.
However, the Cavaliers’ defense and offense took control in the second half, and they advanced to the conference semifinals with a 114-102 victory against the Raptors Sunday.
Cleveland ended the first half on an 11-2 run, started the second half on an 11-1 run and eventually built a 19-point lead in the third quarter and a 22-point lead in the fourth.
The home team won every game in the series – the only first-round series without a road winner – and the home team is now 117-41 all-time in Game 7s after the Philadelphia 76ers won at the Boston Celtics Saturday and the Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic Sunday.
The fourth-seeded Cavaliers will play the top-seeded Pistons in the Lake Erie series, starting with Game 1 Tuesday in Detroit (7 ET, Peacock/NBC Sports).
“We go in there as underdogs, which is a challenge,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “It’s going to be a similar series, being able to handle their pressure, their rebounding, their force, their physicality. So hopefully, this series prepared us for that.”
Here are four takeaways from Sunday’s Game 7:
1. Allen rules the paint with scoring, rebounding
Jarrett Allen (22 points, 19 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks) dominates all aspects of Game 7 as Cavs advance to the East semis.
Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen equaled a team-high 22 points and collected a game-high 19 rebounds. He also had three blocks, two assists and two steals.
He made 7-for-11 shots from the field – all at the rim – and off his eight offensive rebounds, which is one more than the Raptors had as a team, he had three putbacks, a made free throw and an assist.
In the third quarter – when the Cavaliers created separation – Allen had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
“He really took over us over the top,” Atkinson said. “That third-quarter performance, best I’ve seen him. Coached him a long time. The offensive rebounding, and we needed the inside scoring. We needed someone else to step up. He was just absolutely incredible. … He was ready for the moment.”
Allen’s contributions on the glass were part of a dominant rebounding performance by the Cavaliers. Cleveland outrebounded Toronto 60-33, including 20-7 on the offensive end. The Cavs outscored the Raptors 23-7 in second-chance points.
2. Multiple contributions from Cavaliers rotation
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell and James Harden did what they had to do.
Mitchell scored 15 of his 22 points in the second half. He was 2-for-9 on 3-pointers but 7-for-11 inside the arc, knocking down five mid-range shots and two at the rim.
Harden had 18 points on 3-for-9 shooting and collected 11 points on free throws.
It wasn’t spectacular, but it was enough, especially with the team-wide production.
Evan Mobley had 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists; Sam Merrill scored 13 points; Max Strus added 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals; and Jaylon Tyson contributed seven points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Cleveland outscored Toronto 34-19 in bench points.
3. Scottie Barnes continues to blossom
Scottie Barnes drops 24 points, nine rebounds in Game 7.
Toronto’s Scottie Barnes is a two-time All-Star (2024, 2026), and in his first playoff experience as the franchise’s featured player, he excelled.
In the series, Barnes averaged 24.1 points, 8.6 assists, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.1 steals and shot 50.9% from the field and 38% on 3-pointers. He was Toronto’s best player in Game 7 with 24 points, nine rebounds, six assists and one block.
4. What’s next for the Raptors
The Raptors went from 30 victories in 2024-25 to 46 victories this season with a roster led by Barnes and coached by Darko Rajakovic that should continue to improve in a competitive Eastern Conference.
“They’ve got a bright future,” Atkinson said. “They confirmed who we thought they were all season. Just respect – respect for their coach and staff and that group of players.”
Barnes, Brandon Ingram (did not play in the final two games of the series with right heel inflammation), Immanuel Quickley (missed all seven playoff games with a strained right hamstring), RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick, Ja’Kobe Walter and Collin Murray-Boyles are under contract for 2026-27.
The Raptors have team options on Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jamal Shead, and Garrett Temple and A.J. Lawson are free agents.
The Raptors have the No. 19 pick in the first round and the No. 50 pick in the second round in the 2026 NBA Draft.
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Jeff Zillgitt has covered the NBA since 2008. You can email him at jzillgitt@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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