Donovan Mitchell, James Harden lead Cavaliers over Raptors. 3 takeaways from Game 1

Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksWhat To Know About The First RoundHollinger's Playoff PreviewThe Bucks' Season From HellPlayer Poll: Who Will Win Title?NBA Postseason The Raptors kept the game close for two quarters. But Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Max Strus helped the Cavs blow the game open in the third. Jason Miller / Getty Images Share articleThe superstar duo of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell helped the Cleveland Cavaliers open the 2026 NBA Playoffs first round with a third-quarter scoring blitz, defeating the Toronto Raptors 126-113 Saturday at Rocket Arena. The Raptors held their own in the first half, but the Cavs walked out of the locker room and blasted 36 points in the third quarter. Mitchell and Harden combined to score 26 points in the third quarter, and the Cavs’ role players stepped up. Max Strus found confidence behind the arc, scoring 22 points, including four 3-pointers. Mitchell led the Cavs in scoring with 32, while Harden finished with 22. Meanwhile, Toronto had four players score in double figures in the first half. Brandon Ingram led the Raptors with 13 points, and Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Jamal Shead had 11 apiece, but Cleveland’s offensive onslaught in the third quarter was too much for Toronto to handle, and Cleveland grabbed Game 1. The Raptors were playing without starting point guard Immanuel Quickley, who is managing a strained right hamstring. The Cavaliers will host the Raptors for Game 2 Monday night with a 7 p.m. ET tipoff. Here are three key takeaways. This is a team desperately trying to get to a conference finals or further, but in the meantime, the first round is becoming a comfy place for the Cavs. My goodness. Cleveland beat Miami so badly in the first round last year that, well, it was the most lopsided series in NBA history. The point differential for the series was 122 points. Only one of the four games was even remotely close. The streak certainly continued here Saturday against the Raptors, and it kind of reminded me of Game 1 last year against the Heat. Close for a half, then, destruction. Of course, we know better than to predict a similar wasting. The Raptors have every chance to adjust, to get Quickley back and to take advantage of their two games in Toronto next week. But in Game 1 of this first-round series, we saw the Cavs recognize their distinct size advantage and exploit it. We saw relative discipline on defense, especially in the second and third quarters, and a prolific offense with many options and no stagnation. Harden, in his Cleveland playoff debut, tied John Havlicek for the 15th-most playoff games of 20 or more points in NBA history. Also, Mitchell passed Kyrie Irving for the second most playoff games in franchise history with 30 or more points. Mitchell now trails only LeBron James (77). If every game were a first-round game for Cleveland, Mitchell would pass his old idol, LeBron, in no time. — Joe Vardon, senior NBA writer The Cleveland Cavaliers were forcing the ball to go to the Toronto Raptors of their choosing. They were fine if things funneled toward Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead, the two Raptors starters who struggle to shoot the 3 most. They came through, hitting six of their seven attempts in the first half. Despite that, the Raptors never truly made the Cavaliers fearful, and that is a huge worry. The biggest reason for that: The Cavaliers have Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, while the Raptors do not. On paper, the Raptors’ No. 5 defense should present some decent answers for the perennial All-Stars. It didn’t work out that way. Shead, who started in place of the injured Immanuel Quickley? Too small. Ja’Kobe Walter, who sizzled to end the season? Too easy to shake with an off-ball screen. RJ Barrett? Not shifty enough to navigate screens. Even Scottie Barnes, the likely All-Defense member? Too upright in his stance. Many Raptors were hopping with two feet to avoid a pick, putting them behind the play and allowing Mitchell and Harden to play games in the screen-and-roll. And when a Raptor managed to keep one of the guards in front of them, Mitchell and Harden can still dance and pop a 3-pointer. Mitchell and Harden combined for five unassisted 3s. The Raptors had just one as a team. If Quickley can return, he can provide some off-the-bounce shooting. He won’t be an answer defensively, though, and it’s unclear if the Raptors can find one either on their roster or with a scheme. — Eric Koreen, senior NBA writer Donovan Mitchell had a rare view while the Cleveland Cavaliers extended their lead in the third quarter and essentially put the game away — on the bench. It is a luxury Mitchell has rarely enjoyed since coming to Cleveland. Max Strus’ career postseason high and James Harden’s double-double allowed the Cavs’ best player to rest and not lose momentum. Harden, despite his history of postseason woes, is being heavily counted on to share the burden with Mitchell. So far, so good. The Raptors simply don’t have the shooting to match the Cavs in this series. Brandon Ingram can get whatever he wants inside the 3-point line, but Mitchell and Harden’s damage typically comes behind it. Harden controlled the pace with the ball in his hands. Strus missed most of the season with a foot injury but looked like a tested veteran in Game 1. The Raptors, meanwhile, were more efficient and more aggressive from 3 than they had been all season and still lost by double figures. If Mitchell continues to get help from Harden and Strus at this level, they’re going to be a tough out in this series. — Jason Lloyd, senior columnist Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms