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Cavs' Playoff Dominance: Raptors' 9-Year Drought Continues
21 Apr
Summary
- Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 2-0 playoff series lead.
- Toronto Raptors have lost 11 straight playoff games to Cleveland.
- Donovan Mitchell and James Harden delivered strong offensive performances.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have established a significant 2-0 advantage in their NBA Playoffs series against the Toronto Raptors. This outcome follows a pattern of dominance, as the Raptors have not defeated the Cavaliers in the playoffs for nine years. The last Raptors victory occurred in Game 4 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals when LeBron James was still with Cleveland.
Since then, the Raptors have endured a continuous streak of 11 playoff losses to the Cavaliers, a trend that persisted in the most recent game. Donovan Mitchell was instrumental in securing the 115-105 win, delivering an offensive performance with 30 points and strong shooting percentages. He also contributed five assists.
James Harden also played a pivotal role for the Cavaliers, scoring 28 points with efficient shooting. Beyond scoring, Harden showcased his all-around game with four assists and a strong defensive effort, recording five steals, five rebounds, and a block. His defensive intensity helped stifle the Raptors' offensive rhythm.
If this performance trend continues, the Raptors' playoff losing streak against the Cavaliers will soon surpass a decade, marking a significant period of postseason futility for the franchise against this particular opponent.
