Cavs at Raptors, Game 4: Matchup, how to watch, what to expect

One game later, everything looks a little different.

The Cavs had control. Then came Game 3. Rough night. Especially at the finish. Now it’s about the response.

“You flush it,” is usually the go-to line this time of year. But let’s be honest — the Cavs were outplayed in just about every way in Toronto, particularly in the fourth quarter. Paint. Turnovers. Threes. You name it.

So, yeah, adjustments are coming. Let’s get to it.

Who: Cavs (2-1) at Raptors (1-2)
Where: Scotiabank Arena — Toronto
When: Sunday, April 26, 1 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Line: Cavs -3.5

What went wrong?

Pretty much everything in the final eight minutes.

The Cavs leaned way too heavily on the three-ball in Game 3. They launched 45 attempts from deep. Just 36 from inside the arc. 

That’s not their game, and it showed.

Toronto packed things in, forced tough looks, then made the Cavs pay on the other end. Again, that was especially the case late, when the Raptors blew it open with a fourth-quarter run that turned it into a rout.

Different script than the first two games.

Back to Basics

This one feels simple. Get inside.

The Cavs are at their best when they’re attacking the paint, playing through Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, allowing James Harden and Donovan Mitchell create downhill.

That didn’t happen nearly enough in Game 3. Too much settling. Not enough pressure. Expect that to change.

Injury Update

Cavaliers: None
Raptors: Immanuel Quickley — Out (hamstring); A.J. Lawson — Questionable (back spasms)

Quickley being out again matters. He’s one of the few Raptors who can consistently create offense. Without him, a lot falls on Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett to carry the load.

Expected lineups

Cavaliers: Harden, Mitchell, Dean Wade, Mobley, Allen
Raptors: Ja’Kobe Walter, Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles

Bottom line

Game 3 was the punch. Game 4 is the chance to respond.

If the Cavs get back to attacking the paint and valuing possessions, they’re in a good spot to take a 3-1 lead home.

If it turns into another three-point contest? Well, that’s exactly what Toronto wants. Chaos. Frustration. Ugly. The Cavs can win that way, but that’s not ideal.