Jarrett Allen anchors Cavs as Cleveland knocks out Toronto in Game 7

Cleveland’s Game 7 win was about one thing more than anything else — control. The Cavaliers beat the Raptors 114-102 on Sunday, May 3, a(espn.com) on both ends. Toronto had pushed this series all the way to the edge. But in the decider, Cleveland finally looked like the sturdier team. Allen was the clearest reason why. (espn.com) ### Why did Allen matter so much? Because he gave Cleveland the one thing that usually settles a nervous Game 7 — easy possessions. Allen fi(cbssports.com)mattered more in this matchup because Toronto had dragged the series into a bruising, half-court fight. Allen cleaned up misses, finished inside, and erased mistakes at the rim. (nba.com) ### Was this close the whole way? Not really. It was tight for a half, then Cleveland blew it ope(espn.com)r putting up just 49 in the first half. That swing is basically the game. Toronto stayed within reach early, but once Cleveland started getting stops and turning them into cleaner offense, the Raptors were chasing. (espn.com) ### What did Toronto do well? Toronto made this series uncomfortable. That matters. The Raptors were the No. 5 seed and still pushed Cleve(nba.com)earlier in the week. So this was not some fake scare. Cleveland had to solve a real problem. It just did it too late for Toronto. (espn.com) ### Why does the rebounding number jump out? Nineteen boards in a Game 7 is the kind of number that tells you who dictated the terms. Rebounds are not just hustle stats here — they d(espn.com)len’s night was like putting a lid on Toronto’s offense while also handing Cleveland second chances. In a game that felt tense for two quarters, that kind of control is huge. (nba.com) ### Did Donovan Mitchell have to carry it? No — and that is probably the most encouraging par(espn.com)t this was not one of those survive-on-shotmaking nights where everything depends on a star guard going nuclear. The Cavs got a more balanced win, with Allen doing the heavy interior work and Cleveland’s defense giving the offense room to breathe. That makes them feel less fragile going forward. (nba.com) ### What changes now? Cleveland move(nba.com)d off Toronto, and it matters because the bracket is now fully set. So this win was not just about escaping round one. It reset the Cavs from a wobbling favorite into a live second-round team with a clearer identity — defend, rebound, then let the guards play off that. (cbssports.com) ### Is there still a catch? Yes — needing seven games against Toronto is still a warn(nba.com)story is that the Cavs answered pressure with their best defensive big-man performance of the series. The bad version is that they needed a Game 7 at home to do it. Both things can be true. (nba.com) ### Bottom line Allen gave Cleveland the kind of Game 7 center performance that settles everything down. The Cavs are through, but more i(cbssports.com)ke the other team play uphill. (nba.com)