The Cleveland Cavaliers took a convincing 2-0 series lead on the Toronto Raptors. Many national and local media believed the series was over after game 2. Then Toronto went onto win two consecutive games.
In game 4, Toronto held all Cleveland scorers to 20 points or less with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combining for only 39 points on the night. In the first two Cavaliers wins. For Toronto, Scottie Barnes got very little help in those first two games. The big offseason acquisition of Brandon Ingram only scored 24 points over those two games. In games 3 and 4, Ingram is closer to his output expectation scoring 36 points of the last two.
Toronto will need to keep up the physicality. Cleveland doesn’t fair as well against overly physical teams. If the physicality is less and Cleveland can shoot over 40% from the floor, the Cavaliers could end this series quickly. If Toronto can make things difficult, they could stretch this series. The longer this series goes, the worse it is for Cleveland and the better it is for Toronto.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers score
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Raptors vs Cavaliers live updates, highlights from Game 5 of NBA playoffs
8:22-3rd: Jamal Shead makes a 5-foot floater. Toronto maintains a 4-point lead.
10:50-3rd: Donovan Mitchel make a 5-foot floater after RJ Barrett hit four free throws on two consecutive possessions.
| 1st Half Team Stats | TOR | CLE |
|---|---|---|
| FG | 29-45 | 21-42 |
| Field Goal % | 64 | 50 |
| 3PT | 10-17 | 11-22 |
| Three Point % | 59 | 50 |
| FT | 6-10 | 14-16 |
| Free Throw % | 60 | 88 |
| Rebounds | 20 | 15 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 5 | 3 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 15 | 12 |
| Assists | 21 | 10 |
| Steals | 6 | 5 |
| Blocks | 5 | 2 |
| Total Turnovers | 7 | 10 |
| Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 8 | 23 |
| Fast Break Points | 17 | 2 |
| Points in Paint | 30 | 20 |
| Fouls | 12 | 7 |
| Technical Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Largest Lead | 12 | 6 |
| Percent Led | 61 | 28 |
Raptors up at halftime in Game 5 on ESPN 👀
Who’s heading to Toronto with the series advantage? pic.twitter.com/tQ64q9rDAM
— ESPN (@espn) April 30, 2026
Toronto leads Cleveland 74-67 at the half.
0:17-2nd: Jamison Battle fouled Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell hit both free throws.
1:21-2nd: Ja’Kobe Walter makes a 32-foot three-point shot capping a current 7-0 run. Raptors retake the lead 74-65
3:18-2nd: James Harden makes a 24-foot three-point shot.
4:28-2nd: Ja’Kobe Walter makes a 1-foot dunk. Toronto has taken a 62-56 lead.
5:36-2nd: Sandro Mamukelashivili was fouled and made both free throws. Toronto has tied the game at 54.
7:32-2nd: Evan Mobley hits a pair of free throws extending his stat line to seven points and four rebounds.
8:26-1st: Jaylon Tyson (CLE) and Jamal Shead (TOR) exchange 23 and 24-foot three-point shots respectively.
10:08-2nd: RJ Barrett makes a driving layup. Toronto is narrowing the lead, but still down 44-42.
Cavaliers lead the Raptors 38-34
0:00-1st: Donovan Mitchell makes a 38-foot buzzer beater three-point shot. Cleveland leads Toronto 38-34 at the end of the 1st quarter.
Donovan Mitchell beats the 1Q buzzer and hits the spida celly 🕸️
Raptors-Cavs Game 5 on ESPN and the ESPN App 👀 pic.twitter.com/eZXGVvvFqK
— ESPN (@espn) April 30, 2026
0:47-1st: James Harden makes 23-foot three-point shot. That includes six points from Harden in their current run.
Cleveland is on a 7-0 run since the 6:36 mark of the first quarter.
Toronto leads Cleveland in the turnover margin 10 to 4.
3:33-1st: Dean Wade entered the game after Merrill’s run and made a 24-foot three-point shot tying the game at 24.
5:35-1st: Sam Merrill hit a 22-foot three-point shot. In only two minutes, Merrill contributes 5 points (1-1 from three) and an assist. Toronto leads 22-17.
6:24-1st: Ja’Kobe Walter makes a 25-foot three-point shot. After a series of missed shots by Cleveland, Toronto extends the lead to 22-11. Cleveland has subbed in Sam Merrill.
8:27-1st: It continues to be the Barnes and Barrett show early for the Raptors. Scottie Barnes makes a 17-foot pullup shot extending the Raptors lead. Both Raptors are shooting a combined 80% from the floor.
9:55-1st: James Harden makes a 32-foot three pointer. Harden is the only Cavalier who has scored from the field.
10:40-1st: Until a James Harden drive in the paint, Toronto held Cleveland scoreless for the first five minutes.
Max Struss, a guard, will get the start for Cleveland at Small Forward. Dean Wade will see rotational game action.
Impressions and reactions from Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 5
“I love playoff basketball, that’s what my game is built for.” 😤
RJ Barrett joins Inside the NBA to talk about what it’s like representing Canada in the NBA Playoffs 👏 pic.twitter.com/at3pyw71jN
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 29, 2026
“Game 5, let em know!” 🗣️@spidadmitchell is fired up as the Cavs seek a 3-2 lead🕷️
Game 5: 7:30 PM ET, ESPN pic.twitter.com/Ce467Di7ib
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2026
GAME 5 LOADING 🔒 pic.twitter.com/uORz3XCphm
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 29, 2026
How to Watch Toronto Raptors (2-2) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (2-2) Game 5 NBA Playoffs
Wednesday, April 29
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Series tied 2-2
Raptors vs. Cavaliers Game 5 will be broadcast by ABC on ESPN and will stream live on the ESPN app.
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