The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 114-102 in Game 7, securing their spot in the second round of the playoffs. They will face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons next.
In that decisive Game 7, and with their playoff lives on the line, Jarrett Allen and the Cavs took down the Raptors 114-102 to advance to the second round.
The Cavs will play the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons in the second round. Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, in Detroit.
Here are our instant reactions to Game 7 between the fourth-seeded Cavs and fifth-seeded Raptors:
May 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Rocket Arena before game seven between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Q&A
What was the final score of the Cavaliers vs Raptors Game 7?
The Cavaliers won Game 7 against the Raptors with a final score of 114-102.
Who scored the game-winning shot in the previous game between the Cavaliers and Raptors?
RJ Barrett hit the game-winning shot in Game 6, which led to the decisive Game 7.
When is the next game for the Cavaliers after defeating the Raptors?
The Cavaliers will play Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, May 5.
Where was Game 7 between the Cavaliers and Raptors played?
Game 7 was played at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Related Articles
NHL·Recap
Jon Cooper blames ‘hockey gods’ as Canadiens shock Lightning in Game 7
Canadiens stun Lightning 2-1 in Game 7, advance to face Sabres
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Pep Guardiola has the ideal player for his team in a Manchester City maverick
Rayan Cherki shines in debut season for Manchester City, impressing Guardiola.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Jaylen Brown shares displeasure for NBA referees, Joel Embiid on Twitch
Jaylen Brown shares his thoughts on NBA officiating after Celtics' loss on Twitch.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Arteta saca del agujero a Lewis-Skelly: “He sido duro con él”
Arteta elogia a Lewis-Skelly tras un gran partido como mediocentro
Marca··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
With fireworks and dressing-room party: Milan goes wild after title
Inter Milan goes wild with fireworks and a party after winning the title!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
8.1-rated Man Utd whiz directly answered pre-game Roy Keane plea with what he did in second half vs LFC
Kobbie Mainoo answers Roy Keane's challenge with a winning goal against Liverpool!
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
May 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Raptors players warm up before game seven between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
1 / 2
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors NBA playoffs Game 7 photos
May 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Rocket Arena before game seven between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
1 / 2
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors NBA playoffs Game 7 photos
May 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Rocket Arena before game seven between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
2 / 2
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors NBA playoffs Game 7 photos
May 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Raptors players warm up before game seven between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavs vs Raptors Game 7: Ryan Lewis' instant reaction
Jarrett Allen opened Game 7 with a pretty awkward missed dunk. And, later, he put together what might have been the best quarter of his Cavs career, dominating Toronto with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 12 third-quarter minutes. It was a reminder that while Allen has had several moments when it was brought into question how he fit into this roster, he can also have tremendous stretches like he did in Game 7.
This one did look like the Raptors — playing the entire series without Immanuel Quickley and the last few games without Brandon Ingram — ran out of gas after halftime of Game 7, when their offense simply cratered. Give credit to Cleveland, though keeping up with the Cavs' offensive firepower without two key players isn't easy over seven games.
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden did enough, Max Strus and Sam Merrill supplied some energy and offense at the right moments, and the Cavs survived to face former Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the Pistons in the second round. They have plenty of issues to work out — namely their issues on the road — but they escaped the first-round scare.
Cavs vs Raptors Game 7: Nate Ulrich's instant reaction
Sanity prevailed when Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson went back to his most effective lineup of Round 1 by starting forward Dean Wade along with guards James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, forward Evan Mobley and center Jarrett Allen. Although the Cavs fell behind out of the gate (Game 7 jitters seemed to be present), the same five players clicked coming out of halftime as the Cavs went on a 9-0 run, seized a 58-49 lead and gained control after the score was tied 49-49 at halftime. Allen had 14 points and 10 rebounds alone in the third quarter, and Mitchell added nine points. The Cavs outscored the Raptors 38-19 in the third quarter.
Wade served as Cleveland's fifth starter in the first four games of the series. In Games 5 and 6, Atkinson started small forward Max Strus in place of Wade. It turns out the Cavs desperately needed Strus' energy off the bench in Game 7. He helped the Cavs regroup after they fell behind by 10 points twice in the second quarter. He hustled, drew offensive fouls and rebounded, among other contributions. He finished with Cleveland's best plus-minus rating of plus-20.
Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich cover the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal.
