CLEVELAND. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors 114-102 in Game 7 of the NBA playoffs first round and secured their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Led by a dominant Jarrett Allen, who matched his playoff scoring high, the Cavaliers overcame a ten-point deficit and imposed their physicality and defense down the stretch.
The game started with Toronto Raptors looking much more comfortable offensively. Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett found space from the opening tip and allowed the visitors to control much of the first half. Cleveland struggled especially from beyond the arc, and the lack of outside shooting made it difficult for the home team's offense.
The Raptors built a ten-point lead midway through the second quarter and appeared to be controlling the pace of the game. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers responded just before halftime. Still down nine (47-38), three-pointers from James Harden, Max Strus, and Jaylon Tyson completely shifted the momentum.
A closing 11-2 run allowed Cleveland to tie the game at halftime (49-49) and regain confidence heading into the second half. Up to that point, the Cavaliers had made just 4 of their first 17 three-point attempts.
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The home team's comeback continued right from the start of the third quarter. Donovan Mitchell took control offensively with five straight points, and Evan Mobley added four more during a 9-0 run that gave Cleveland its first significant lead of the game.
From there, Jarrett Allen's dominance was absolute. The center punished the Raptors constantly in the paint, controlled the offensive glass, and became the decisive factor in Game 7. Allen finished with 22 points and 19 rebounds, including five offensive boards, matching his playoff scoring high.
The Cleveland Cavaliers put together a devastating 49-21 run from late in the second quarter through much of the third, turning a nine-point deficit into a nineteen-point lead that proved to be decisive.
Donovan Mitchell also delivered a strong performance with 22 points, while James Harden added 18 in a game where Cleveland once again dominated at home. The series confirmed a clear trend: the home team won all seven games played.
In Toronto, Scottie Barnes led the offensive effort with 24 points and nine rebounds, while RJ Barrett contributed 23 points. The Raptors, returning to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2022, competed for much of the game but ultimately paid the price for their second-half offensive struggles.
With this victory, the Cleveland Cavaliers advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will face the Detroit Pistons. Game 1 will be played Tuesday in Detroit, a matchup between two Central Division rivals who split their four regular season meetings.