Winners and Losers: Cavs vs Raptors Game 4 – The core is crumbling
The Cavs took heavy damage in their first game on the road.
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 looked ugly once again as the Toronto Raptors tied their series 2-2.
Let’s go over today’s losers. LOSER – The Core Four Yep, all of ‘em. Winning in the playoffs can often come down to having the best player on the floor.
In the case of the Cavs, they have an argument for four of the five best players in the series. Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen should all be capable of dominating a game against the Raptors. So, when none of them show up to play, that’s a concern.
There’s really no excuse for some of the poor performances we saw in both Games 3 and 4. Harden and Mitchell were totally disrupted by Toronto’s defense. The backcourt combined for 11 turnovers in Game 4 as their team scored just 89 points.