Red-hot Cavs roll past Raptors

Field Level Media|published: Sat 10th February, 22:15 2024

Feb 10, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) tries to defend during the second quarter at Scotiabank Arena . credits: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Jarrett Allen had 18 points and 15 rebounds as the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors 119-95 on Saturday night.

Donovan Mitchell added 15 points for the Cavaliers, who have won nine games in a row and 17 of their past 18. Evan Mobley supplied 17 points and 11 rebounds, Max Strus scored 14 points and Caris LeVert and Georges Niang each contributed 13 points.

Scottie Barnes recorded his third triple-double of the season with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Raptors, who had won their previous two games. RJ Barrett and Gradey Dick added 14 points apiece, and Immanuel Quickley scored 10.

Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji made their Raptors debuts. They were acquired from the Utah Jazz via trade on Thursday. Olynyk scored 11 points and Agbaji had eight.

The Cavaliers took a 22-point lead into the fourth quarter, and Toronto never got closer than 17 over the final 12 minutes of action.

The Cavaliers led 30-24 after the first quarter.

Cleveland opened the second with a 10-3 surge. The Cavaliers stretched their lead to 51-28 when Sam Merrill hit a 3-pointer with 7:03 to play in the period, and they led 60-35 after Strus slammed home a dunk with 4:03 remaining.

After Mitchell hit a 3-pointer with 35.2 seconds left, Barnes answered with a layup that completed the first-half scoring as Cleveland took a 67-47 cushion into the break.

The Cavaliers shot 55.1 percent (27-for-49) from the field in the first half. Allen had 12 points and 10 rebounds before intermission, and Mobley also scored 12 points.

The Raptors were held to 37.2 percent shooting (16-for-43) from the field in the first half, with Barnes scoring 20 points.

Quickley scored the first five points of the third quarter, cutting Cleveland's lead to 15.

Toronto moved within 14 before Strus ignited a 6-0 Cavaliers run that provided the visitors with an 83-63 lead. Isaac Okoro's three-point play increased the margin to 24 points with 55 seconds remaining. Cleveland led 95-73 after the third quarter.

—Field Level Media

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