Cavaliers-Raptors Sport 4 takeaways: Toronto evens collection with increase from rookie; James Harden has turnover points

You may make an affordable case that Sport 4 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors was on its option to being the largest stinker of the 2026 playoffs up to now, with each the groups combining for some record-setting taking pictures futility. However then it was saved by a late-game surge by each groups, leading to a number of clutch buckets and an depth stage that would rival the precise Finals.

Twelve lead adjustments and 6 clutch free throws by Scottie Barnes closed it out, with Toronto successful 93-89 and night the collection at 2-2. The collection strikes again to Cleveland for Sport 5 on Tuesday.

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Let’s break down a number of takeaways from Sport 4.

There was no query the 6-foot-7 rookie was NBA prepared from Day 1. He has been lively on each side of the ground, has ridiculous defensive upside and has seemingly discovered his playoff ft a lot faster than anticipated.

Murray netted 15 factors and 10 rebounds off the bench in Sport 4 and was a continuing menace on the inside, scoring towards the whole Cavs frontline, regardless of being a number of inches shorter than each Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.

His efficiency on this collection underlines his potential, which is huge and may but be molded in many various methods. Nevertheless you slice it, the Raptors bought a great one.

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James Harden‘s turnover points

Getting into Sport 4, the previous MVP was averaging 5.7 turnovers per recreation this collection. By some means he managed to extend that common.

Harden, who had seven turnovers in Sport 4, has traditionally had a difficulty hanging on to the ball. Within the playoffs, that subject is all of the tougher to beat, particularly the additional you handle to go.

What’s interested in his mishaps on this collection is {that a} honest bunch of them had been completely preventable. It is lazy entry passes, pressured retailers and a normal lack of focus.

It ponders the query of whether or not Donovan Mitchell ought to take over extra ball-handling duties till Harden has adjusted himself.

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The Raptors have a degree guard drawback

With Immanuel Quickley unavailable, the Raptors have tried out each Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter at lead guard. Whereas each have utilized themselves in some method, neither has succeeded in stringing collectively durations the place issues have clicked.

Poor taking pictures effectivity, particularly, has plagued each. And whereas Shead is solely a greater playmaker than Walter, he’s quick in stature and offers up measurement defensively. (Walter, a robust, bodily defender, went 0-for-9 from the sector in Sport 4.)

It is not an issue the Raptors can repair proper now, so they’ll should make due. But when they proceed to the second spherical, they’ll should assume up an alternate recreation plan.