RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors clash with Cleveland Cavaliers in unexpected Game 7 in NBA play-offs

CLEVELAND – RJ Barrett kept the Toronto Raptors’ NBA season alive with one of the most clutch shots in franchise history, but he is not ready to reminisce about the moment yet.

Not with a win-or-go-home Game 7 of their National Basketball Association Eastern Conference first-round series on May 3 (May 4, Singapore time) at the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“Forget everything that’s happened,” said Barrett, who is averaging a series-high 24.3 points per game. “Now, it’s one game to win it all.”

The fifth-seeded Raptors earned that opportunity when the 25-year-old’s three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime bounced off the heel of the rim, high in the air and through the hoop to give them a 112-110 victory on May 1.

As a result, Toronto have pushed the team with the highest payroll in the NBA to the brink of a devastating end to a season that began with championship dreams.

“Glory to God, that was a fun one, right?” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “It was a heck of a fight. We just talked about how much fun this is and how much we loved the challenge.”

Fourth-seeded Cleveland got a clean look at the buzzer, but Evan Mobley’s attempt was off the mark, keeping both teams unbeaten at home in the series.

“If I continue to sulk about that (Barrett) shot, it’s over,” Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell said. “Unfortunately, but fortunately, half of the locker room has been through this before. It’s going to test us.

“Protect home court, that’s all you can do. We’ve got to protect home court.”

History is on Cleveland’s side as they have never lost a Game 7 at home, beating the Washington Bullets in 1976, Boston Celtics in 1992, Indiana Pacers in 2018 and Orlando Magic in 2024.

Mitchell, Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Max Strus, Dean Wade and Sam Merrill remain on the roster from the 2024 series, which featured the Cavaliers and Magic winning every game in their respective arenas.

“We’re at home and the ball is in our court,” said Mobley, who is averaging 19.0 points and 8.8 rebounds while shooting 56.8 per cent from the field. “We’ve just got to come together and get a win.

“Don’t get too involved in the magnitude of everything, just protect home court.”

Toronto have played only one Game 7 on the road, losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001. Barrett was about to celebrate his first birthday at the time, while Scottie Barnes and breakout performer Ja’Kobe Walter had not been born yet.

The three of them combined to score 73 of the Raptors’ 112 points in Game 6.

“I’ve watched so many Game 7s, you see the intensity on the court,” said Walter, who averaged 22 points and made 10 three-pointers over the last two contests. “I’m so excited to be in this moment.”

Barnes has been the most consistent performer in the series, averaging 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 9.0 assists. He and Barrett have surprisingly outplayed Cleveland’s dynamic backcourt of James Harden and Mitchell.

Mitchell is shooting 43.7 per cent from the field, including 35.3 per cent on three-point tries, while attempting only 14 total free throws. He has taken over in brief stretches of just two games, marking a complete turnaround from his brilliant 2025 post-season.

Trade-deadline acquisition Harden has been plagued by careless passes and poor decision-making, averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 turnovers.

“I’m a little frustrated, but there’s nothing you can do about it,” the 36-year-old said. “We can’t dwell on it too long. Just go back home, play one game and win.”

Both squads took May 2 off but held shootarounds on the morning of May 3.

Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (right heel) missed Game 6 and will be evaluated after working out with the team. Guard Immanuel Quickley (right hamstring) continues to undergo treatment but will sit out the entire series.

The Cavaliers have no injuries and, should they lose, no legitimate excuses.

“This is typical NBA basketball with a four and a five seed going at it,” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Now, we’ve got to go out and get Game 7.” REUTERS