TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 23: James Harden #1, Evan Mobley #4 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images The Cleveland Cavaliers stumbled in their first playoff game on the road.
They’ll get another chance to take care of business and head back home with a 3-1 series lead over the Toronto Raptors. To do that, they’ll have to look much better than they did in Game 3. The Cavs were thoroughly outplayed for 48 minutes on Thursday.
Toronto owned them in the paint, turned them over at a high rate, and lit them up from behind the three-point line when the game mattered most. A 20-point thrashing in the fourth quarter made the final score look as bad as the rest of the game felt. How do the Cavs fix this?Shifting Cleveland’s focus back to the paint is a good start.
Of course, they have to take care of the ball and limit quality three-point attempts for their opponent, but just getting their own shot diet back on track is a non-negotiable. The Cavs took 45 three-point attempts in Game 3 but only 36 two-pointers. That’s playing with fire.
I’m hoping to see the Cavs work harder to break Toronto’s shell and score in the paint. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, specifically, have to be better at generating looks inside. They can’t afford another cold shooting night from downtown.
Diversifying their shot chart is a more sustainable way to win. Support us and Let ‘Em Know with Homage!Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (2-1) at Toronto Raptors (1-2)Where: Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ONWhen: Sun., April 26 at 1 PMTV: ESPNPoint spread: Cavs -3.5Cavs injury report: NoneRaptors injury report: Immanuel Quickley – OUT (hamstring), A.J. Lawson – QUESTIONABLE (back spasms)Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett AllenRaptors expected starting lineup: Jakobe Walter, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-BoylesPrevious matchup: Here’s a look at both teams’ regular-season impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.Offensive RatingDefensive RatingNet RatingCavs118.9 (8th)115 (15th)+3.9 (9th)Raptors116.8 (13th)113.2 (7th)+3.6 (11th)