Key Takeaways:
- Jarrett Allen matched his playoff career high with 22 points and pulled down 19 rebounds in Cleveland’s decisive victory over Toronto
- The Cavaliers completed a commanding 49-21 run over the middle quarters to overturn a nine-point deficit and eliminate the Raptors 114-102 in Game 7
- Cleveland will travel to Detroit for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday after splitting their four regular-season encounters
Cleveland’s Second-Half Surge Seals Series
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured their passage to the Eastern Conference semifinals after prevailing 114-102 against the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 on Sunday evening. Jarrett Allen led the way with 22 points, equalling his career-best tally in the playoffs, and dominated on the boards with 19 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell also contributed 22 points for Cleveland, while James Harden added 18 in a series that saw the home side emerge victorious in each encounter.
HOME COURT: PROTECTED.
📊 HIGHLIGHTS & STATS: https://t.co/aep2lnvBqa@Redfin | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/rka5dTYEGg
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 4, 2026
Turning the Tide: Key Moments
Toronto, featuring 24 points and nine rebounds from Scottie Barnes and 23 points from RJ Barrett, looked poised to advance as they led by 10 midway through the second quarter. However, Cleveland responded emphatically, erasing a 47-38 deficit with an 11-2 surge to close the half level at 49 apiece after shots from Harden, Max Strus, and Jaylon Tyson.
The Cavaliers emerged from the halftime break with renewed momentum, embarking on a 49-21 run across the second and third quarters that flipped a nine-point disadvantage into a 19-point cushion. This pivotal stretch included a fast-break dunk by Allen, following Max Strus’s steal from Barnes, extending Cleveland’s edge to 74-59. During this period, the Cavaliers were clinical with 17 of 33 shooting from the field — five of which were three-pointers — and turned seven Toronto turnovers into 14 points.
Cleveland also established a decisive 25-8 rebounding advantage during their run, scoring 14 points from 10 offensive rebounds. Barnes acknowledged these extra possessions were decisive, stating, “The offensive rebounds were giving them extra possessions. That really hurt us, giving them momentum.”
Statistical Breakdown
| Team | Points | Top Scorer | Rebounds Leader | Assist Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 114 | Jarrett Allen / Donovan Mitchell (22) | Jarrett Allen (19) | Max Strus (5) |
| Toronto Raptors | 102 | Scottie Barnes (24) | Scottie Barnes (9) | Jamal Shead (7) |
Coaches and Player Reflections
Despite the elimination, Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic commended his squad’s performance: “We gave it all, everything we had today. Our guys were awesome. We made it hard on them.” Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged improvements at halftime: “In the first half, we were forcing it too much, driving down tunnels and forcing it to the basket. Sometimes you have to move the defense. We just kept hammering that message.”
Jarrett Allen, who recorded his 11th career playoff double-double, attributed Cleveland’s transformation to their collective focus and determination: “Sam (Merrill) said this whole series, we haven’t closed out the second quarter. We all took that to heart. We all looked at ourselves and decided that now was the time to do it…when we rebound the ball and get stops, that just translates to the offense so much better and transition and open shots for everybody.”
Up Next: Cleveland Face Detroit in Semifinals
With the victory, Cleveland improve to 6-5 all-time in Game 7s, holding an unblemished 5-0 record at home. Toronto slip to 3-4 in Game 7s, remaining winless on the road in these deciders. The Cavaliers now turn their attention to top-seeded Detroit, with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal scheduled for Tuesday night. The Central Division adversaries had shared their regular-season series, each side winning two games.
All-Star forward Brandon Ingram remained sidelined for Toronto with a bruised right heel, missing his second straight fixture.
