"Donovan Mitchell finished with 32 points on efficient 11-of-20 shooting while James Harden added 22 points and 10 assists, and the two combined to score or assist on 82 of the Cavs' 126 points (65%)."
"Cleveland's backcourt will be its biggest advantage in this matchup, especially with Toronto missing guard Immanuel Quickley to begin the series."
"After a hot-shooting first half from Toronto, the Cavs held the Raptors to 59 points in the second half, taking away their transition offense."
The 2026 NBA playoffs commenced with the Cleveland Cavaliers defeating the Toronto Raptors 126-113. Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points, while James Harden contributed 22 points in his playoff debut. Max Strus added 24 points off the bench. The Cavaliers' defense limited the Raptors to 59 points in the second half, showcasing their ability to control the game's pace. The absence of Toronto's guard Immanuel Quickley further hindered their performance. Game 2 is set for Monday, where the Raptors will need to adjust to Cleveland's dominant play.
Read at ESPN.com
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