Cavaliers force decisive Game 7 against Raptors following dramatic overtime victory in Toronto
James Harden led the Cavaliers with 23 points as they defeated the Raptors 104-102 in extra time, overturning an 82-81 deficit after three quarters.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have forced a decisive Game 7 against the Toronto Raptors after securing a dramatic overtime victory at Scotiabank Arena. The series, which had been evenly split prior to this contest, now hinges on a single match in Cleveland, where the home team holds the advantage.
James Harden led the Cavaliers with 23 points, while RJ Barrett scored 25 for the Raptors in a game defined by defensive intensity and late scoring. The contest remained level through regulation, with Toronto holding an 82-81 lead after three quarters before Cleveland pulled ahead in extra time to take the series lead.
The game concluded in overtime with the Cavaliers taking the lead for the first time since the first quarter. Key moments in the extra period included a 29-foot three-pointer by Barrett, a 2-foot shot by Donovan Mitchell, and a driving layup by Harden, which ultimately secured the win for Cleveland.
The match was marked by physical play and strict officiating, with the crew noted for being particularly rigorous regarding contact. Early in the first quarter, a technical foul situation involving Harden was reviewed and changed to double technicals after officials determined tripping occurred, setting a tone of high intensity that persisted throughout the contest.
Jarrett Allen suffered a hard fall after a reverse dunk early in the first quarter but remained in the game, while Scottie Barnes highlighted Toronto's defensive efforts with a block on a Harden jumpshot and a posterising dunk over Allen. The officiating crew also flagged a forearm shove and inadvertent contact to a defender's head in the second quarter, leading to several challenges.
James Harden officially moved into 10th place on the all-time playoff steals list during the game, adding to his individual accolades in a series where both teams had previously defeated each other at home. The Cavaliers previously defeated the Raptors 125-120 in the last matchup on Wednesday, but this road victory in Toronto has shifted the momentum back to Cleveland.
