Raptors force Game 7 with 112-110 OT

The Raptors dragged this series all the way to the hard version — one game, one night, no safety net. Toronto beat Cleveland 112-110 in overtime on Friday, May 1, forcing a Game 7 after RJ Barrett hit a three that bounced straight up, hung there forever, and then fell through with 1.2 seconds left. That shot mattered because Cleveland had spent the whole second half trying to escape a game it never really controlled. Now the Cavaliers have to go home and win the one they thought they had avoided. (espn.com) ### How did Toronto actually win this? Toronto led for almost all of the meaningful middle of the game. The first quarter was tied, but the Raptors won the second 29-19 and the third 31-30, which gave them the cushion that kept Cleveland chasing. Even when the offense bogged down late and the Cavs forced overtime, Tor(espn.com)ssion game. (espn.com) ### Why is everyone talking about one bounce? Because the game turned on one weird, perfect piece of playoff chaos. With overtime nearly over and the score tied, Barrett launched a deep three with three seconds left. The ball hit the rim, shot upward, and then dropped in with 1.2 seconds remaining. Cleveland still got (espn.com)as the series reset. (cbc.ca) ### Who carried the Raptors? Barrett hit the winner, but this was not a one-man rescue. Scottie Barnes finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Barrett had 24. Toronto needed both versions of offense — Barnes creating pressure all game, Barrett delivering the one shot everyone will re(cbc.ca)y to solve every late-clock possession. (espn.com) ### What went wrong for Cleveland? The simplest answer is that Cleveland never fully grabbed the game even after Toronto opened the door. The Cavaliers mounted the comeback and got the game into overtime, but a late turnover in the extra period handed Toronto the final swing. That is the brutal part of close playoff ga(espn.com)t the end feel like handing away a season. (newsglobenow.com) ### Does the series score change the pressure? Completely. A 3-2 lead gives you options. A 3-3 series gives you none. Cleveland goes from trying to close at the first opportunity to defending home court in a winner-take-all game on Sunday. Toronto goes from elimination to one hot night away from stealing the whole(newsglobenow.com) — every rotation decision now gets judged against a single result. (espn.com) ### Why do Game 7s feel different? Because they usually strip a series down to its essentials. Coaches shorten the trust circle. Stars play through mistakes. Bench minutes get more dangerous unless those reserves can defend without giving possessions away. Toronto just proved it can survive a messy, tense finish. Clev(espn.com) but the clean script is gone now. That is the real cost of losing Game 6 at the buzzer. (sports.yahoo.com) ### So what should you watch next? Watch whether Toronto can recreate the control it had through three quarters, and whether Cleveland can generate cleaner late offense without gifting away the ball. Also watch Barnes and Barrett together. If Toronto gets both the steady pre(sports.yahoo.com)hreat. (espn.com) The bottom line is simple — Toronto did not just extend the series. The Raptors changed its center of gravity. Cleveland still gets Game 7 at home, but after a finish like this, nobody walks into Sunday feeling comfortable.