"This was an NBA Cup game, but its significance was overshadowed by the magnitude of Game 6 of the World Series happening in Toronto.This game had a bit of a feel of a competitive pre-season game (though much of what happens early in the regular season can be experimentation). After the Raps established their 10-plus point leads in the first half, Cleveland established their own 10-point lead briefly in the third."
"Towards the end of the end game, with the Raps up 100-94, Hunter and Mobley attempted a pick-and-roll. RJ Barrett switched onto Hunter and harassed him in the corner. Buying time allowed Scottie Barnes to come over and get a steal.But forcing two of these 13 turnovers didn't pop out on the box score, and they also forced missed shots."
"Barrett, who had 20 points on an efficient shooting night, had a defensive play at the end of the third that epitomized the aggressive-pressure-defence-fuels-offence play this team has been aspiring towards. He applied full court pressure as the Cavs inbounded the ball. He picked up Dean Wade early, played pestering point-of-attack defence on him, and forced him to miss at the rim."
The Cavaliers were missing All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, hot shooter Sam Merrill, and big man Jarrett Allen. The Raptors won 112-101 in an NBA Cup game that coincided with Game 6 of the World Series in Toronto. The contest felt like competitive preseason experimentation, with the Raptors opening 10-plus point leads in the first half and Cleveland briefly holding a 10-point lead in the third. Toronto mounted a spirited comeback driven by stronger, aggressive team defense that created turnovers and forced misses. Key sequences included Jamal Shead guarding Evan Mobley, Ochai Agbaji's help leading to a stolen post-entry pass, and RJ Barrett's pressure enabling a Scottie Barnes steal. Barrett finished with 20 efficient points.
Read at Raptors Republic
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