The Cavaliers will rely on the big-game experience from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
The first three games of the Toronto Raptors-Cleveland Cavaliers first-round Eastern Conference series were decided by 10 or more points. The next three were decided by five points or fewer, including a white-knuckle overtime ride to the finish of Game 6.
In a 3-3 NBA playoff series, you’d expect it to be close, and the numbers reflect that. The Cavaliers and Raptors have each scored 111.5 points per game; the Cavs are shooting 47.2% from the field, 35% on 3-pointers and 72.2% on free throws; the Raptors are shooting 46.9%/36.7%/73.2%. Cleveland has collected 42.2 rebounds per game and Toronto 41.5.
In points per 100 possessions, the Raptors have a slightest edge, outscoring the Cavaliers 113.2-112.4.
Through six games, the aggregate score is 669-669.
Game 7 in Cleveland (7:30 ET, NBC/Peacock) is fitting.
Here are three things to watch in Game 7:
1. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell and James Harden
Mitchell has played in 69 playoff games, and Harden 179. This is Harden’s eighth Game 7 and Mitchell’s third.
The Cavaliers will rely on their big-game experience. Harden has scored at least 22 points in Cleveland’s three victories, and while he is a gifted passer who creates shots for teammates, his scoring is important. He was 5-for-14 from the field and 1-for-4 on 3-pointers for 16 points in Game 6.
Mitchell’s 11-for-26 from the field, 2-for-10 on 3s and zero free-throw attempts in Game 6 won’t get it done. It’s not all on Mitchell and Harden, but it starts with them. It’s why the Cavaliers acquired Harden in a February trade deadline deal.
2. Toronto’s Scottie Barnes
Scottie Barnes scores 25 points and dishes 14 assists, tying the franchise record for most in a postseason game.
Barnes has produced big games in the series: 33 points and 11 assists in Game 3; 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists in Game 4; and 25 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds, three steals and three blocks in Game 6.
He has been fantastic, and Toronto needs his scoring and playmaking if it wants to advance.
It’s never on one player. RJ Barrett’s scoring is necessary, and Collin Murray-Boyles is playing more like a veteran than the rookie he is.
But for the Raptors, it starts with Barnes, the two-time All-Star who the Raptors determined was the franchise centerpiece.
3. Home sweet home — or not
The home team has won every game in this series, and prior to Saturday’s Philadelphia-Boston Game 7, the home team has won Game 7 74.2% of the time (115-40). This is also the only first-round series where at least one team has not won on the road.
Cleveland has been impressive at home this season, winning 16 of 19 at home since Jan. 23. While the home team has enjoyed overall success in Game 7s, there has been at least one Game 7 road winner in each of the past 10 seasons.
* * *
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.
Leave a Reply