The Toronto Raptors lost Game 2 of their first-round playoff series to the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-99 on April 20, 2026, falling behind 0-2 in the best-of-seven matchup.
Cavaliers exploited Toronto’s turnover issues in the second half
Cleveland forced 18 Raptors turnovers, converting them into 24 points while committing just 9 themselves. Jakob Poeltl led Toronto with 12 offensive rebounds, but the Raptors shot only 38 percent from the field after halftime. Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points for Cleveland, including 10 in the fourth quarter, as the Cavaliers clamped down defensively to preserve their lead.
Raptors struggled to generate consistent offense without Ingram
Brandon Ingram missed his first seven shots and finished with 12 points on 4-of-18 shooting, a significant drop from his 24-point average in the regular season. James Harden and RJ Barrett combined for 32 points, but Toronto lacked a third reliable scorer as the Cavaliers focused on disrupting their pick-and-roll actions. Head coach Darko Rajaković acknowledged the team’s ball movement stagnated after the first half, saying they became too reliant on isolation plays.
For more on this story, see NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Bracket and First-Round Matchups Defined.
Toronto must adjust defensively to avoid a sweep
Cleveland outrebounded Toronto 48-36 and scored 52 points in the paint, exposing the Raptors’ interior defense despite Poeltl’s effort on the glass. The Cavaliers made 14 of their 30 three-point attempts, spacing the floor effectively to create driving lanes for Mitchell and Darius Garland. Toronto will demand to improve its perimeter closeouts and reduce foul trouble — Poeltl picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter — to have a chance in Game 3.
What adjustments can the Raptors build for Game 3?
Toronto may appear to increase ball movement and involve OG Anunoby more in the offense, as he scored only 8 points in Game 2 despite taking just 5 shots. The team could also consider starting Precious Achiuwa for added defensive versatility against Cleveland’s big men, though that would reduce scoring off the bench.
How significant is a 0-2 deficit in this series?
Historically, teams down 0-2 in a best-of-seven NBA playoff series have won just 12.5 percent of the time since 2000, making a comeback unlikely but not impossible if Toronto can win at home in Game 3.
