Winners and Losers: Cavs vs Raptors Game 2 – Evan Mobley dominates

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 18: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks over Jakob Poeltl #19 of the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena on April 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Cleveland Cavaliers rode their three best players (Mitchell, Mobley, and Harden) for 83 points to take a 2-0 series lead over the Toronto Raptors.

Let’s go over today’s winners, because there were no losers. WINNER – BAGcourt It was somewhere between Donovan Mitchell’s second windmill gather and James Harden’s third step-back jumper of the game that I realized how lucky Cavs fans are to be watching a backcourt with this level of technical craft. The Raptors altered their defensive approach from Game 1.

Rather than earnestly trying to defend Mitchell or Harden, they opted to send multiple defenders and apply maximum pressure on the ball. That had benefits, as it partially took the rock out of the guard’s hands and put pressure on other Cavaliers to make plays. If only it were that easy to take Mitchell and Harden off the board.

Harden dropped Scottie Barnes and got the crazy three to go down 😳 pic. twitter. com/GnFmEn8vVm — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 21, 2026 Sure, the Raps could win a possession every once in a while.