Cavaliers lead series 1-0! Harden scores 22 with 10 assists in win over Raptors, Mitchell gets 32 points, Strus adds 24

On April 19 Beijing time, the NBA playoffs commenced. The Cavaliers triumphed over the Raptors 126-113 at home, claiming an opening win and a 1-0 series advantage. Donovan Mitchell poured in 32 points, James Harden delivered 22 points and 10 assists, and Max Strus chipped in 24 points as a reserve. The Cavaliers held a 7-point halftime lead, widened it in the second half to as much as 24 points. Despite the Raptors reducing the deficit in the fourth quarter, they could not overcome it. RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 24 points.

Statistical Data

Raptors: RJ Barrett 24 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists; Scottie Barnes 21 points, 7 assists; Brandon Ingram 17 points, 4 assists; Gradey Dick 17 points; Chris Boucher 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists; Jalen McDaniels 7 points; Jakob Poeltl 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks; Sasha Vezenkov 3 points, 8 rebounds.

Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell 32 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals; Max Strus 24 points, 3 rebounds; James Harden 22 points, 10 assists, 2 steals; Evan Mobley 17 points, 7 rebounds; Jarrett Allen 10 points, 7 rebounds; Sam Merrill 7 points, 4 rebounds; Dean Wade 5 points, 3 rebounds; Isaiah Joe 3 points, 3 rebounds.

Star of the Game

Mitchell, Harden, and Strus combined for 78 points, helping the Cavaliers secure the opening victory.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Harden assisted Allen for consecutive dunks, Barrett scored on a layup, Barnes answered with back-to-back three-pointers, giving the Raptors an 8-4 start. Mobley and Allen dunked again, Mitchell hit a three-pointer, Harden scored on a floater, Dick and McDaniels also drove inside for points, tying the game at 15-15 midway through the quarter. Harden also hit a three-pointer, Ingram and Boucher scored on mid-range shots, Barnes added another three, putting the Raptors up by 5. Mitchell and Merrill scored via free throws, and in the final 46 seconds, Mitchell and Strus sparked a 7-0 run to overtake the Raptors. At the end of the first quarter, the Cavaliers led 35-31.

In the second quarter, Mitchell sank a three-pointer, Barrett and Dick scored consecutively, allowing the Raptors to tie the game. Harden assisted Mobley for a dunk, then Harden and Joe hit three-pointers, gradually giving the Cavaliers control. Ingram scored on a mid-range jumper, Harden added a floater, and Mobley continued to dominate inside. Harden and Strus hit more threes, extending the Cavaliers' lead to 10 points. Barrett hit a three-pointer before halftime to reduce the deficit to single digits. At halftime, the Cavaliers led 61-54.

After the break, Mitchell, Allen, and Wade scored in succession, Mobley hit a three-pointer, and the Cavaliers unleashed a 9-0 run to stretch the lead to 16 points. Ingram made two free throws to end the Raptors' scoring drought. Mitchell and Barrett scored on layups, Strus hit two three-pointers and added a layup, pushing the Cavaliers' lead to 22 points. Barrett converted a three-point play, Harden hit another three, Poeltl and Ingram also scored, but the Raptors trailed by a large margin. At the end of the third quarter, the Cavaliers led 97-76.

In the fourth quarter, Mitchell and Vezenkov hit three-pointers, Dennis Schröder scored on a layup, and Mitchell drove to the basket repeatedly. McDaniels and Wade traded three-pointers, Barnes and Barrett attempted to cut the deficit, Harden scored another floater, and Strus hit a deep three-pointer, denying the Raptors any real chance. The game gradually lost suspense, and the Cavaliers maintained their advantage until the end, securing a 13-point victory in Game 1.

Starting Lineups

Raptors: Gradey Dick, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Jakob Poeltl

Cavaliers: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen