Winners and Losers: Cavs vs Raptors Game 3 – Raps control the paint

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 23: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images The Cleveland Cavaliers took a blow in their first game on the road against the Toronto Raptors.

Let’s go over today’s losers, because there are no winners. Except the Tyson family, who deserve an honorary shout-out. LOSER – Turnovers Let’s start by setting the table.

Or, like the Cavs, by spilling things all over the place and causing a mess. Cleveland opened this game with nine turnovers in the first quarter. That’s enough to break your back in the NBA Playoffs.

The Cavs somehow managed to weather the storm and stay within two possessions at the end of the quarter — but it set the stage for how poorly things would go. Every potential run from the Cavaliers was met by these self-inflicted errors. That’s not to take anything away from the Raptors, whose length and athleticism contributed directly to those turnovers, but throwing the ball into the third row (like James Harden did in the second half) is something most NBA players can avoid.