In a thrilling matchup on Monday night, Brandon Ingram led the Toronto Raptors to a decisive 110-99 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ingram scored 37 points, 15 of which came in a dynamic third quarter, helping Toronto extend its winning streak to eight games.
Scottie Barnes also made significant contributions with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Sandro Mamukelashvili added 12 points and Immanuel Quickley chipped in with 11. This win marked an impressive milestone for the Raptors, as they have now won 12 out of their last 13 games.
During the game, Toronto dominated the Cavaliers, particularly in the late stages of the first half, where they executed a remarkable 13-2 run to take a slim lead of 57-54 at halftime. This victory also completed a season sweep over the Cavaliers, a feat they hadn't accomplished since the 2019-20 season.
For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell ended the night with 17 points but struggled with his shooting, finishing 6 of 20 from the field and 3 of 12 from beyond the arc. Fellow teammates Jaylon Tyson and Evan Mobley each contributed 15 and 14 points respectively, while Nae-Qwan Tomlin also added 14 points. However, Lonzo Ball's performance was notably underwhelming as he shot only 3 for 15, making just two of his 12 attempts from three-point range, ending with a total of eight points.
Toronto played without star player RJ Barrett, who is dealing with a sprained right knee. Barrett had to leave the previous game against Brooklyn after an awkward landing on a fast-break dunk. Fortunately, team coach Darko Rajakovic reported that tests did not reveal any serious injury. On the other hand, the Cavaliers missed both Darius Garland, who was sidelined due to a sore left big toe, and DeAndre Hunter, who was rested on the second night of a back-to-back.
Ingram showcased his scoring prowess in the third quarter, connecting on 6 of 12 shots. His final basket, a key three-pointer with 1:20 remaining in the period, pushed Toronto’s lead to a commanding 88-74. The Raptors’ recent performance displays a well-rounded team effort and effective gameplay strategy, contributing to their current form in the league.
Additionally, Jakob Poeltl made a comeback for Toronto after missing the prior game due to a sore lower back, finishing with 13 rebounds. Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen missed his third consecutive game for Cleveland due to a sprained finger on his right hand, adding to a list of injuries that saw seven Cavaliers players sidelined.
