CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers had a golden opportunity in Game 2 to seize control of their best-of-seven first-round NBA playoff series against the Toronto Raptors.
The Cavs took advantage by defeating the Raptors 115-105 on Monday, April 20, at Rocket Arena, so Cleveland will take a 2-0 series lead across the U.S.-Canada border. Game 3 is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in Toronto.
Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley dominated the scoring for the Cavs, combining for 83 points in the wire-to-wire win.
Here are instant reactions and analysis from Game 2 between the Cavs and Raptors:
Cavs vs Raptors Game 2: Ryan Lewis’ instant reaction
The backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden has been every bit as dynamic as the Cavs could have envisioned when they shook up the roster at the trade deadline. Coach Kenny Atkinson has done well to rotate them so that at least one is always on the floor, giving the Cavs a constant source of consistent scoring ability at all times, and the Raptors simply haven’t been able to match that firepower.
That’s especially true with Brandon Ingram looking uncomfortable through the first two games. He’s been a much smaller factor on offense than normal, as the Cavs have accomplished their primary defensive goal, which was to limit him as much as possible. Without him being an offensive force, the Raptors won’t have the offensive ceiling to match Mitchell and Harden, especially when they have to resort to getting to the rim as much as possible, a strategy the Cavs are well-prepared to defend with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley inside the paint.
If those trends don’t reverse course north of the border for Games 3 and 4, it could be a quick series, and the Cavs might pull off their second consecutive first-round sweep.
Cavs vs Raptors Game 2: Nate Ulrich’s instant reaction
After the Cavs won Game 1, Raptors All-Star forward Brandon Ingram lamented an interesting statistic: He had just nine field-goal attempts, including one in the second half, scoring 17 points in Cleveland’s 126-113 triumph on April 18. Ingram noted Raptors coach Darko Rajaković wanted to use him as a screener. And Ingram concluded, “At the end of the day, me shooting nine shots is not going to win basketball games.”
Heading into Game 2, the Cavs were bracing for a much heavier dose of offense from Ingram. However, Ingram went scoreless on 0-of-6 shooting from the field in the first half of Game 2. He shockingly didn’t make a field goal until there was 9:50 left in the third quarter. Through three quarters, he had four points on 2-of-11 shooting from the floor. He finished with seven points on 3-for-15 shooting from the floor.
Ingram is clearly in a slump at the worst time, but the Cavs have made life difficult on him, too. It’s hard to overstate how valuable forward Dean Wade’s defense has been to Cleveland, especially while Wade has served as the primary defender against Ingram. Anyone who has paid attention to the Cavs this season knows the biggest question mark about their chances to produce a deep playoff run centers on their defense. Wade is their best perimeter defender. He’s also their most versatile defender. He has a long injury history, but if he can remain available this postseason, it could be a significant boost for Cleveland.
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers vs. Raptors Game 2 recap, instant reactions
Reporting by Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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