Cavs out-scrap feisty Raptors in Game 7, move on to Round 2

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers are moving on. And boy, they have to be happy they won’t see the Toronto Raptors again.

But that is finally the case, as the Cavs held on for a 114-102 Game 7 home win over the Raptors on Sunday. Game. Set. Series.

It did not come easily. Far from it. The Raptors scrapped and fought and challenged .. then did it some more. The Cavs just happened to have more talent, at least on paper. On Sunday, it came through on the court.

This one was tied at 49-all at halftime. In the first half, the Cavs never led. Then they went on a 9-0 run to start the third quarter.

Jarrett Allen more or less led the way, with a steal in the open court and two big swats on the same possession.

Allen wasn’t all that impactful in the first half, but man oh man, was he big at winning time. He chased after every loose ball, every rebound, and was involved in every hustle play.

When the Cavs needed to get tough, Allen delivered. He went for 14 points and 10 rebounds — in the third quarter alone. Cleveland outscored the Raptors 38-19 in that quarter alone as well.

Later, in the fourth quarter and the Cavs up 20, Donovan Mitchell dove into the second row in chase of a Raptors errant pass. So, yeah, the Cavs wanted this one.

Allen finished with 22 points, 19 boards and for the third time this series, tied his playoff career-high with three blocks.

He even delivered a hard foul and got into a little scrap. Mitchell also scored 22. Harden finished with 18 points, and Evan Mobley and Sam Merrill added 13 apiece.

By the way, the Cavs had three flagrant fouls in the second half alone. I don’t know that they had that many in the other 88 games combined.

Game 1 of the second round is Tuesday night at Detroit. I’ll have more coming in Dribbles a little later. Talk to you then.

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