Dribbles: Cavs handle Raptors’ rough stuff, stay in control

CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 115-105 Game 2 win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday.

1. It wasn’t as convincing as the first time, but it was every bit as promising. And the big takeaway is that the Cavs aren’t about to let Toronto push them around.

2. That may not sound like much, but that was a concern heading into this series. The narrative was that the Cavs might not be tough enough. I mean, seriously. How many times did we have to hear about that? 

3. Plus, the Raptors’ strength is their physical play. They’re not great shooters. They don’t have a standout passer. They won’t backdoor you to death. Their game is to push, scratch, claw, and try to go through you. And why not? That’s playoff basketball.

4. A few times, the Raptors wouldn’t set a pick for a teammate — they’d rolled out an entire blocking scheme, almost like an NFL offensive line. The result was two points at the basket. But the Cavs didn’t hang their heads. They didn’t get discouraged. They fought back.

5. So the Cavs are in control, taking care of business at home the old-fashioned way. They’re just winning, baby. It helps that they have two true-blue stars in Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. And when things got close, it was pretty much those two who made sure Toronto never got over the hump.

6. As Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said, “That was a superstar game.”

7. He speaks the truth, as Mitchell threw in some crazy shots on his way to 30 points. (Harden even joked that they were “lucky” shots.) But we all know that’s just what Mitchell does, and hey, the Cavs needed every last one. They won by 10, but it felt more like three. Toronto has a way of mucking everything up like that.

8. Still, this particular Cavs team has proven it’s OK with that. You want ugly basketball? Fine. We can do that, too. After all, the Cavs didn’t trail for a single second.

9. More Atkinson: “There were times last year we weren’t up to the task physically.” That, it seems, has changed.

10. Part of the reason is Evan Mobley. He has emerged as a true force, and it’s precisely what the Cavs gotta have against a team that thrives in the dirty-work department. “Aggressive. Head down, going to the rim,” Harden said of Mobley. “He’s been playing ultra-confident, which is good. We’re gonna need it.”

11. Along with his game-high 30 points, Mitchell collected seven rebounds and five assists. Harden went for 28 points on 9-of-14 shooting. He also compiled five steals. “He’s obviously all-world offensively,” Mitchell said of Harden. “… And when you have a guy like him who makes defense a priority, that (rubs off on) the entire group.”

12. Mobley, again, was also fantastic — finishing with 25 points on 11-of-13 from the field (6-of-6 in the first half), along with eight rebounds. 

13. Now, this was far from a perfect night. The bench scored just 16 points (compared to 45 for the Raptors). The Cavs were also out-rebounded, 42-35, and went 14-of-22 from the line. Those are things they’ll need to correct if they emerge from this series and face an opponent with more offensive firepower. It will cost you games if not.

14. Both Atkinson and Mitchell went out of their way to praise Dean Wade, especially when it came to his defense on Raptors standout Brandon Ingram. It’s been a miserable stretch for Ingram, who scored just seven points on 3-of-15 shooting. That came after the second half of Game 1, in which Ingram scored just four.

15. Jarrett Allen added 10 points on 4-of-6 from the floor. This isn’t any inside information, but it looks like Allen may still be struggling with the knee injury suffered after the All-Star break. He does sometimes receive treatment when he heads to the bench. Still, he’s making an impact and tied his playoff career-high with three blocks.

16. Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 26 points. That guy is simply a two-way demon who plays with an edge. RJ Barrett added 22 points and rookie big man Collin Murray-Boyles had 17 in reserve.

17. Now, it’s off to Toronto for Game 3 on Thursday. Different environment, different challenge for the Cavs.

18. Atkinson on that very subject: “We have a veteran group. They understand you don’t want to come back to Cleveland tied at 2-2. They hit us with a hard shot today. They’re gonna have to do it again. And we’re gonna have to resist.”

• BOX SCORE | Cavs 115, Raptors 105
• RELATED | Cavs again find another gear, overpower Raptors in Game 2
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