Toronto routs Cleveland
- Toronto beat Cleveland 126–104 in Game 3 to cut the Cavs' series lead to 2–1. - The final score was 126–104 in favor of the Raptors. - The win gives Toronto a live path back in the series after a decisive road victory. ( )
Toronto pushed Cleveland around for 48 minutes Thursday night, winning Game 3 by 22 points and cutting the Cavaliers’ first-round lead to 2-1. (nba.com) The Raptors beat the Cavaliers 126-104 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on April 23, with a 43-point fourth quarter turning a close game into a rout. (nba.com) Scottie Barnes scored 33 points and handed out 11 assists, both career playoff highs, and RJ Barrett matched him with 33 points for Toronto. (espn.com) Toronto snapped a 12-game playoff losing streak against Cleveland and avoided falling into a 3-0 hole, which would have left the Raptors one loss from elimination. (espn.com) The series had opened with two Cleveland wins, 126-113 in Game 1 and 115-105 in Game 2, before shifting to Toronto for Game 3. (nba.com) The game turned late. NBA.com said Toronto ripped off a 47-23 run in the second half, and the Raptors finished with 19 straight made baskets during the closing surge. (nba.com) Cleveland never found a top scorer. ESPN’s game summary listed James Harden with 18 points, while Toronto had two 33-point scorers and controlled the final quarter 43-23. (espn.com) Game 4 is set for Sunday, April 26, at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN, with Cleveland still leading the series but Toronto back on its home floor with a chance to even it. (nba.com)
