Raptors avoid sweep, but need same desperation in Game 4

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Disconcerting signs abounded minutes into the Raptors’ biggest tip of the season on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena in Game 3 of their NBA first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, entering with a 2-0 series deficit.

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The home crowd, including Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., was into it and saved its loudest jeers for Cavaliers star James Harden, who received the type of visceral treatment reserved for some of the NBA’s very elite.

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But with the game barely five minutes old, Ja’Kobe Walter and Scottie Barnes each had been assessed two fouls, and Brandon Ingram was handling the rock as if it were a hand grenade.

Five minutes into the evening, and the visiting Cavs were already in the bonus.

What kept the Raptors in sync was the play of RJ Barrett.

Things were not trending well for the Raptors, but their three-point shooting was sublime, and the Cavs turned the ball over with frequency.

When the first quarter ended, the Raptors had manufactured their best quarter of the series, which doesn’t say much, but a 31-25 lead beats the alternative of trailing by double digits.

The question was whether this was sustainable.

One of the most encouraging signs was the sight of Jakob Poeltl, Toronto’s beleaguered big man, stepping out and recording a block right in front of the team’s bench as the shot clock expired.

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Aware of dire consequences

When the Raptors needed to match the moment, they responded fully aware of the dire consequences of a loss.

The night began with Barnes on Harden, Walter on Donovan Mitchell and with Barrett bringing the ball up the court on Toronto’s opening possession.

Defensively, Barrett was matched up against Evan Mobley.

Cleveland scored the game’s first basket on a back-door cut by Mitchell.

When the whistle favoured Harden 30 feet away from the basket, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic went berserk.

In Cleveland, the Raptors looked to be out of their league against a Cavs team that seems equipped to make a deep playoff run.

For the first playoff game in Toronto since Barnes’ rookie season, the energy level and the Raptors’ heightened sense of desperation were on point.

The team’s virtually enhanced red carpet was dotted with athletes representing four pro sports leagues, including the WNBA expansion Tempo.

Not surprisingly, Vlad Jr. received the loudest ovation.

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Not far behind was Barrett, who has taken his game to a different level.

Brandon Ingram struggles

The same can’t be said for Ingram.

Despite some solid stretches, the Raptors and Cavs were tied 51-51 late in the opening half.

Some exquisite ball handling and decision making by Harden and Mitchell led to an open three-pointer and a Cleveland lead.

Toronto responded, and when Mobley’s corner three hit iron, the teams headed to their respective locker rooms deadlocked in a 54-54 game.

Barnes had 18 points in 17 minutes.

Cleveland attempted 17 more three-balls than the Raptors, but made only two more.

The Raptors had only one turnover in the second quarter, but were outscored 29-23.

After making all five of their shots from distance in the opening 12 minutes, Toronto missed five deep balls in the second period.

Competitive, at times compelling, Game 3 was by far the best of the series.

Barnes was at his best.

Barnes’ buzzer-beater

The problem for the Raptors was their inability to create separation, which spoke to Cleveland’s ability to counterpunch, sparked by Max Strus’ three-point shooting.

When Barnes beat the buzzer to end the third quarter, it gave the Raptors an 83-81 lead as he recorded his 31st point on the night.

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Interestingly, Jamison Battle started the fourth quarter, a move that proved prudent and timely as he buried two three-pointers, each on open looks, to give Toronto a six-point lead four minutes into the period.

A third Battle three gave Toronto a nine-point lead, an advantage that extended to 11 on a Barrett three-pointer after the Raptors forced Harden into a turnover, his seventh of the game.

Toronto lit it up from distance and led 116-99 with 3:43 remaining.

Backs to the wall, their margin for error reduced to the thinnest margins, the Raptors needed to summon their A game and did one better by playing their best game of the season.

Harden’s awful night didn’t hurt, either.

The comforts of home clearly helped Toronto’s cause.

Leading the way were Barnes and Barrett, while the other B, as in Brandon Ingram, looked quite pedestrian.

Collin Murray-Boyles continues to come of age, while the X-factor on this night was Battle.

When he took his seat along the team bench, the crowd gave Battle the loudest cheer he has ever received.

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He deserved it, as did the Raptors, who at least have made this series somewhat interesting by avoiding a sweep.

As desperate as they were Thursday, an even higher level of desperation is required Sunday afternoon when Game 4 tips off.

Harden won’t be as bad, and the Cavs can’t bring a mindset that bordered on complacency into Game 4.

Everything lined up perfectly for the Raptors on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena, from the way the crowd was engaged from the opening tap to the way the Raptors played.

Barnes was the ring leader. Barrett, CMB and Battle followed suit.

If Ingram ever decides to show up and if Poeltl can somehow find a level of aggressiveness, the Raptors may have a chance in this series.

Clearly, they were the better team Thursday, and the 126-104 scoreline punctuated it.

A repeat performance is demanded.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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