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04/23/26 10:58:00
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04/23 22:56 CDT Barnes, Barrett each score 33 as Raptors beat Cavaliers 126-104
to cut series deficit to 2-1
Barnes, Barrett each score 33 as Raptors beat Cavaliers 126-104 to cut series
deficit to 2-1
By IAN HARRISON
Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) --- Scottie Barnes set career playoff highs with 33 points and 11
assists, RJ Barrett added a career playoff-high 33 points and the Toronto
Raptors beat Cleveland 126-104 on Thursday night, snapping a 12-game playoff
losing streak against the Cavaliers.
Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points, Jamison Battle scored all of his 14 points
in the final quarter and Brandon Ingram added 12 as the Raptors cut Cleveland's
lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series to 2-1.
Game 4 is Sunday afternoon in Toronto.
"We knew we needed everybody for this win and you've seen some big performances
from everybody," Barnes said. "It just goes to show how resilient, how bad we
wanted it. We went out there and tried to do whatever it took."
Barnes had five rebounds and shot 11 for 17, making 3 of 5 from distance and
going 8 for 10 at the line. He had three fouls at halftime but didn't pick up
another the rest of the way.
"He did everything for us tonight," Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said.
Murray-Boyles is the first Raptors rookie to score 20 or more in a playoff game.
"He's not afraid of the moment," Barrett said.
Up 83-81 after three quarters, Toronto pulled away by shooting 8 for 9 from
3--point range in the fourth, outscoring Cleveland 43-23. Battle went 4 for 4
from long range in the final period.
Barrett finished 6 for 8 from distance.
The Cavaliers matched the NBA postseason record for consecutive victories
against a single opponent by winning Game 2 on Monday but couldn't extend that
run in Toronto.
James Harden scored 18 points while Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Max Strus
all had 15.
Harden shot 5 for 13, going 3 for 10 from long range.
"They did a heck of a job," Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said of Toronto's defense
on Harden. "They made him work."
Mitchell shot 7 for 16 and went 1 for 7 from distance, while Mobley shot 4 for
13 and missed all four of his 3-point attempts.
Jaylon Tyson scored 13 points and Jarrett Allen had 12.
Toronto scored 23 points off 22 Cleveland turnovers.
Cleveland's streak of playoff wins against Toronto began in the 2016 Eastern
Conference finals, when the Cavaliers won the final three games. Cleveland
swept Toronto in the second round in both 2017 and 2018.
Cleveland also has 12-game postseason winning streaks against Detroit and
Atlanta. The Los Angeles Lakers won 12 consecutive playoff games against
Seattle from 1980 through 1989.
Toronto guard Immanuel Quickley (right hamstring) remained out.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
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