Cavaliers-Raptors Game 2: Cleveland takes control of the series

LeBron James is lengthy gone from Cleveland and has been for years, but there’s one thing he left behind that the Cavaliers are flexing to their benefit on this first-round playoff series.

Their postseason dominance over the Raptors continues, even when the “LeBronto” nickname left city with LeBron.

There may very well be a cry for a brand new moniker, now that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden have assumed the function of making life in the spring depressing for the Raptors. The Cavs have now crushed Toronto 12 straight instances, and the newest victory was completed Monday when Mitchell and Harden could not be contained and Evan Mobley chipped in as effectively.

“Your superstars step up. This was a superstar’s game,” mentioned Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson.

Harden and Mitchell, particularly. They mixed for 58 factors and took turns distancing the Cavaliers from the Raptors, sufficient to imagine a 2-0 lead in the series and ship the Raptors again residence and scrambling for solutions.

Here are the takeaways from the Cavs’ 10-point Game 2 win:

1. Mitchell, Harden overpower Toronto

Given the stakes and the state of affairs, this served as the high-water mark for the Mitchell-Harden backcourt tandem which was shaped at the commerce deadline just a few months in the past. They have been fluid and forceful, and a handful on Monday for the Raptors, and actually all through each video games.

This was exactly what the Cavaliers hoped for once they fused these two stars and Cleveland is reaping the advantages of that call. Both gamers are succesful of going downhill and attacking the rim for layups or fouls, or taking pictures from 15 toes and past. It’s a mix that is robust to defend, even for an honest group of Toronto defenders.

Not solely did they rating, however they did so effectively: 22-for-35 mixed taking pictures, together with 12 rebounds and 9 assists. They’re each superb isolation scorers off the dribble. And not solely did they get buckets, however every introduced an inclination to take — and make — robust pictures, whereas double-teamed or in visitors.

There was a stretch the place Mitchell had 17 factors in 20 minutes and Harden 19 in 19, an impactful 1-2 punch.

“That’s why they’re stars,” mentioned Atkinson.

Another key second, and a curious one at that, was when Harden “gently” pushed off on Scottie Barnes, who fell to the ground. While Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic jumped from his seat and screamed for a foul, Harden shot a chilly have a look at his fallen defender for a couple of second, then shot a 3-pointer that wanted two bounces earlier than falling in.

The chemistry between Harden and Mitchell appears surprisingly strong given how little time they’ve spent collectively, however every appears decided to make it work, which it has on this series. It helps that there is a mutual respect; Harden willingly yields to Mitchell, and Mitchell surrenders the ball-handling to Harden, who’s the superior passer.

2. Mobley introduced the Cavs to Big 3

Unwilling to let his teammates have all the enjoyable, Mobley delivered solidly by taking pictures 11-for-13 for 25 factors. In the course of, he confirmed how robust the Cavs are to beat if another person can play on the stage of Harden and Mitchell.

Mobley comes into the playoffs following a season that was strong however partly as a result of of accidents, not precisely a step up from 2024-25 when he was an All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year. Big issues have been anticipated in the follow-up, and it waited till Game 2 of the first spherical.

“He’s in a phenomenal place physically, and mentally he’s in a great flow,” Atkinson mentioned.

When Mobley is that this energetic on the offensive finish, the Cavs aren’t as predictable and opposing defenses are punished in the event that they pay an excessive amount of respect to Harden and Mitchell. Also, Harden’s passing shouldn’t solely profit Mobley, however Jarrett Allen.

3. Ingram has some explaining to do

He was primarily a ghost down the stretch of Game 1 and complained about the lack of touches. Then his Game 2 response was slightly tame, placing it mildly. The Raptors aren’t trailing 0-2 on this series all as a result of of Ingram, however his lack of an impression offensively is a critical issue.

If you mixed the second half of Game 1 with the first half of Game 2, Ingram shot a mixed 0-for-7 with 4 factors.

Overall, in the final six quarters of this series he is 3-for-16 taking pictures (11 factors), a evident lack of manufacturing from the Raptors’ main scorer. And his 5 turnovers Monday did not assist, both.

He’s having a forgettable series thus far, and this was infected when he insisted that “me shooting nine shots is not going to win basketball games” after Game 1.

Well: Ingram taking pictures 15 instances in Game 2 did not win a basketball recreation, both. Ingram has been humbled for certain, primarily by Dean Wade, but in addition by his personal issues. He’s a rhythm scorer who thrives in the mid-range but by no means established any circulation Monday, even with extra touches.

4. Raptors nonetheless lacking Quickley

Immanuel Quickley missed his second straight playoff recreation with hamstring points and the absence of the Toronto place to begin guard was an apparent setback for the membership.

There was no indication Tuesday about its standing for Game 3; In the meantime, the Raptors went looking for extra scoring and playmaking and leaned on Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett with good outcomes. They mixed for 48 factors and 10 assists but in addition a minus-23 mixed.

Without Quickley, backup Jamal Shead needed to play 38 minutes; I averaged 22 throughout the season. He had three turnovers and made one shot.

The Raptors additionally made the telling determination to cut back Jakob Poeltl’s enjoying time. The beginning heart noticed simply 10 minutes, his lowest in the playoffs for the Raptors.

Clearly, Toronto is greedy to search out options and a workable rotation towards the Cavaliers. Good factor there is a break between video games, as a result of the Raptors will want the subsequent few days to determine it out for Game 3.

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Shaun Powell has lined the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at spowell@nba.comdiscover his archive here and follow him on.