The Toronto Raptors were no match for the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of their first-round series as they fell 126-113 on Saturday.
Despite Toronto keeping things tight for most of the first half, Cleveland turned things up following the break, outscoring the Raptors 36-22 in the third quarter.
The big third frame expanded a seven-point halftime lead to a 21-point advantage for the Cavaliers entering the fourth.
Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting while splashing in four threes. Max Strus was also huge for the Cavs with 24 points off the bench.
The Raptors’ leading scorer was RJ Barrett with 24, but the team’s inexperience as a whole was on display. They shot just 74.3 per cent on free throws, had 17 turnovers and got just 30 points from eight players off the bench.
The two teams will meet in Game 2 on Monday.
