The Raptors went into a must-win Game 3 against the Cavs and delivered. Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Collin Murray-Boyles led the charge to avoid a deadly 0-3 deficit.
While the win was a great success, it did not change much about the Raptors’ status as an underdog in the series, as Darko Rajaković highlighted during media availability on April 25.
“I think that we did not accomplish anything,” Rajaković told reporters. “I think that we just won one game. Obviously, they’re sitting the last three days on a loss, and we’re still down 2-1 in the series.”
He added, “Our biggest adjustment needs to be we need to be the hungrier team, more desperate team, the team that plays with more effort, and take it from there.”
The Raptors can’t let up now
The Raptors played more to their strengths in Game 3 than they had before in the series. They benefited from the Cavs’ 22 turnovers, limited their own miscues, and won the battle in the paint. Uncharacteristically efficient 3-point shooting also helped close out the game, as the Raptors shot 61% from behind the arc.
Most importantly, the game inspired confidence that the Raptors could overcome the Cavs’ scoring prowess and half-court creation despite missing their starting point guard, Immanuel Quickley. The Raptors need to build on that confidence and carry the momentum from the win into Game 4. They have never been in a better position to even out the playing field.
Going back to Cleveland with the series tied at 2-2 would put the Raptors in a much better position to extend the series or even complete the upset than a 1-3 deficit. They have to play like their season is on the line because it may as well be.
The Cavs will likely come out with the same energy, though. They had a few days to stew on the loss and they won’t want to lose again or squander their chance of going back home with an opportunity to close out the series and give themselves a break before the next round.
The spotlight is on the Raptors’ stars
Going into such a crucial game further increases the pressure on Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Brandon Ingram. The first two have to replicate their monster performances from Game 3, and the latter has one more chance to step up and play like the star he is.
Ingram has been quiet all series long, struggling to have his usual impact as a scorer. In Game 3, the Raptors found a way to work around that. The question is whether they can do it again or will get more production out of Ingram.
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