Playoff Live Thread: Cavs @ Raptors (Game 6)
2026-05-01The Cavs have caught a break. Toronto will be without Brandon Ingram, tonight, joining Immanuel Quickley on the injured list. Now the Cavs need to use their size and shooting to close out the Raptors in their building. We’ll see how much mental toughness Cleveland plays with tonight, if Max Strus can thrive in a starting role, if Jaylon Tyson can deliver on the road, and if Dennis Schröder can pull another rabbit out of his hat.
For Cleveland, I still want to see some minutes for Nae’Qwan or Bryant to bring some energy and bang bodies, and I want to see some defensive give-a-shit from Spida and the Beard. For Toronto, this is Scottie Barnes’ moment, and the Cavs need to cut the head off the snake. If you double, double hard and aggressively to force turnovers, and if he picks you apart, back off and make him have to score 50 to beat you. As for the rest of the wine and gold game plan? Take care of the damned ball, hit your free throws, and rebound. Go Cavs.
What is harden doing there?
Schröder finding his shot might be the biggest development of the second round.
Oof
Terrible possession. Then you HAVE to take a better foul on Cade.
Sam I am.
CAVS NEED TO PUT THEM AWAY EARLY—- NATE s EXPRESSION “ CUT OFF THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE 🐍 “. ——GIVE THEM NO LIFE/ NO HOPE——— GET THIS CROWD FIRED UP AND BE LOUD!!!!!!
Philly has a fantastic starting 5: Maxey, Edgecombe, George, Oubre, Embiid. Their bench had 3 pts in Game 7. But they won anyway.
Let us hope Philly/NY is a slugfest that goes 7.
I think Detroit will win comfortably. They got off the hook afrer being down 24 in the 3rd. No Wagner for Orl.
Despite the 2 chokes, we still should win this. I am not overly confident about that, however.
Maxey for Philly vs Boston, 46 assists, 9 TOs. Just 1 in G7. Oh, and 30/10 pts/dimes. That is championship level PG play.
Cavs 8.5 favorites, BI in a walking boot at shootaround.
WELL ThE MEDIA IS 0-1 IN THEIR PICKS—— HOPE THEY IMPROVE
There’s a good list of players I’d never want to see on the Cavs. (Yes, Harden was most definitely on there).
I’ve always thought J Brown was a primadona and think he’s better than he is. A little like Klay. Yesterday post-game talking about Embiid flopping – class act, man. Way to move yourself up the list!
Boston, cutting costs because “you have to avoid the second apron” depleted its roster just enough not to compete when it mattered. Let’s not do the same.
Now they have the 27th pick and bunch of exceptions to find a guy who can hold up against Embiid and KAT (not to mention Duren and Mobley) next year.
Good luck!
They were in a tough spot. Played MUCH better this year than expected. Tatum actually came back & played well. Tough call.
Meanwhile, a certain team has the most expensive roster this year and is (also) in a game 7 🤷♂️
People keep saying most expensive like it matters. You are still able to resign your own guys and do 1:1 trades. We haven’t been unwise financially
Top 5 payrolls: Cavs, Knicks, Warriors (gulp), Rockets (mild gulp as it’s before Amen and Tari resignings), Wolves. Range is about 19M of salary or one Strus and one vet min.
Sixers succeeding in spite of a fanbase that wanted to tear it down every year and an expensive roster and never getting past 2R. Probably some lessons there.
Sometimes you just get a gift and your guys find something on the floor. Doesn’t happen if you cut bait on PG or Embiid.
Sometimes you don’t have much of a choice. You’re all-in because those contracts are close to impossible to move.
Being boxed in from making dumb changes >>>>
This is a really good game. Officials letting them play.
Both teams gave it their all. Quite a game.
Boston done. Delicious!!
Watching 76ers vs Celtics. It’s been an interesting first round in the East.
The first half has been intense. I hate the Celtics, but without Tatum, I admire the next man up mentality.
Love Edgecombe.
If we face them, I think he’s someone I would hate for hitting those shots. :)
MOST OF THE MEDIA PICKING CAVS TO WIN TOMORROW NIGHT—— HOPE THEY ARE RIGHT 👍💪🏀
Nobody knows anything.
I was really struck by how much less intense the Celtics and Sixers were compared to Cavs – Raps and Pistons – Magic
HERE IS MY DERBY PICK ———SO HAPPY——— ANY OTHER TAKERS
NOT SURE THE WORD “ EDGE “ IS IN THE CAVS VOCABULARY—— LET s HOPE THEY FIND IT TOMORROW—— GO CAVS 👍💪🏀
We need to come out with an edge, strong guard play, 50/50 ball dominance, and made free throws to win game 7. Also, I’m dreading to see which referee crew the league appoints for this one. Please, no Tony Brothers.
Go Cavs!
HERE IS THE BIG PROBLEM KA KNOWS HE IS ON A “ VERY HOT SEAT / JOB ON THE LINE “. HE WILL BE EVEN “ MORE STRESSED IN THE HEAT OF THE ACTION “ PRONED TO MAKE EVEN MORE STUPID DECISIONS—— WHAT ARE THE VEGAS ODDS———- NOMAD s ODDS SAY RAPTORS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF KA s POOR COACHING/ STAR PLAYERS CHOKING——— “ STEAL ( or given to ) THE PLAYOFF SERIES———-PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG CAVS !!!!!!!!- YES 2016 WILL ALWAYS BE SPECIAL— MIGHT NOT SEE IT HAPPEN AGAIN ( in my lifetime) WE ALL LOVE/ SUPPORT YOU CAVS —-… Read more »
Cavs are fairly heavy favorites (7.5) better than Boston and worse than Detroit by a point. Although the working assumption seems to be that Tatum sits this one out for Boston and Franz sits out for Orlando and that Ingram remains out for Toronto.
Man, just got through the replay of DET/ORL. Don’t remember the last time I saw such a more contrasting 2 halves of ball. DET down 24 early in the 3rd. Even 15 min later. Win by 14. A 38 pt reversal in less than 1 half, away from home.
I think Orlando missed 20+ FGAs in a row.
A lot of them 3s. Very Houston/GSW reminiscent. Boston had a game where they scored once in the last 7 min. We scored once in the last 5 in G4.
A lot of teams are built with no one who can post up. Guards can’t throw entry passes. A lot of guys can spot up but cannot create off the dribble or post up. Plus, playoff pressure.
Man. Every day makes me appreciate that 2016 team more. Meanwhile, LeBron puts the Lakers on his back to get them out of the first round. We’ll never see another like him.
I hope every time James wins a PO game, Kyrie is sitting somewhere full of regret.
that idiot killed a dynasty, and he hasn’t done squat since.
Man. That guy’s too oblivious for that.
LeBron’s record of consistently advancing to “at least” the second round in postseason is almost as incredible as the 8 straight Finals runs were. In his first go-round in Cleveland when his teams weren’t that good, once he began making the playoffs he never lost in the first round. Amazing that he can carry a team for a series at 41!
No one is Bron, he’s the GOAT. Even Jokic falls flat
MJ is the GOAT in my book. And it isn’t particularly close. With all due respect to Kareem, Russell, and Wilt, without whom one cannot have a real GOAT convo. And LeBron, of course.
For me:
1. MJ
2.-4. Russell/Kareem/LBJ in some order.
5. Wilt
————–
6. Everyone else in the top tier: Mikan, Bird, Magic, Shaq, Kobe, Duncan, and Curry. Probably Oscar Robertson as well. YMMV.
I would lean MJ as the goat, but I think it is actually pretty close. The “6 for 6” in Finals record makes MJ seem like he was invincible. But it took him 7 years to win his first ring, almost as long as it took LeBron (9 years). Before Pippen was drafted he never won more than 1 game in a postseason; not a “series,” a “game.” (Mid-80’s Celtics were a brutal draw but still, if you’re talking GOATs it’s notable). By comparison, LeBron nearly upset the recent champion and two-time Finalist Pistons in his first ever playoffs. Also… Read more »
Also, while everyone in the 90s “assumed” Jordan “would have” led the Bulls to 8 straight Finals if not for the two-year retirement (whatever the reasons for it), we’ll never know. LeBron actually did that with the Heat and Cavs, a feat of mental focus and physical endurance that is just extraordinary in the modern era. Look at how hard it’s been for most teams since than to even get past the second round after a title round. And while LeBron had his share of Finals losses, two were against the Dynasty Spurs, but whom he also handed their only… Read more »
Also Brent Barry knew the Cavs plays before they ran them. Think the Raptors might have?
Truly galaxy brained game by Kenny
Well if he’s thinking he’s not going to get a chance to use it if he waits until the 4th quarter; he apparently has forgotten every playoff game since the Indiana series. There seem to plenty of good moments for a challenge down the stretch of every game.
His whole argument was for points that he probably wasn’t going to get even if he won the challenge
He’s flailing. As are the guards. Hate it but it’s fixable
that event might decide KA’s future — a head coach doing something that everyone knows is stupid in a crucial game. and then defending the blunder — when you screw up, the worst thing you can do is defend it.
If I was the GM and the Cavs don’t win Sunday, I’m firing him before midnight.
Billy Donovan is right there
Every time any challenge has been made in every playoff game the announcers call out the wisdom of saving it. All points are the same in a very narrow technical sense I guess.
Kenny’s need to be different and experiment will be his undoing.
JB or Thibs or Mike Brown would have at least played their best players a ton and not waiting to play core + Wade until the fourth.
Well here’s some second-guessing: on the last second possession in OT, why wouldn’t you have Mobley inbounding – take advantage of his massive length to get in the ball in more easily – instead of on the floor? He’s hit some big 3s the last couple games but he’s not a quick-trigger shooter and if he’d been fouled while missing the shot, he’s not who you want at the line.
Yes. Orrrrr, have Mobes run in for the alleyoop? They would almost certainly foul, although an intercept is a possibility against an athletic team like TOR. Cavs needed 2 points, so make certain you equalise rather than go for the lower % 3. Biggest issue for me is Kenny – he was totally relaxed afterwards, said it was all explainable – TOR made a good play to strip Mobley of the ball, no mention of the fact that Dennis was supposed to hold onto the rock for the foul. Mobley ended up with the inbound since Mitchell was covered, it… Read more »
I wouldn’t trust Mobley with a critical inbound like that.
JUST HAPPY I HAVE HAD TRACK MEETS TO COACH TO AVOID THE AGONY/ FRUSTRATION OF WATCHING THIS TEAM———- WANT LIKE HELL TO BE SUPPORTIVE AND HOPEFULLY THE FANS ARE ALSO ON SUNDAY/ BE LOUD———— BUT IF THEY LOSE THE FANS—- DESERVEDLY SO — WILL LET THE TEAM/ COACHES KNOW HOW FREAKING FRIUSTRATED / UPSET WE ARE WITH THEM———- THIS SERIES SHOULD NEVER MADE IT TO GAME 7 ——- WILL INGRAM PLAY—— DOES IT REALLY MATTER———GO CAVS!!!
I don’t see Ingram being a factor since he hasn’t been so far. Living on reputation from previous seasons. But there’s a few players who suffer from that particular condition in this series.
+14 on the glass
And what the hell happened to Orlando in the last quarter? Pistons went into their house and just took it from them. Wow.
If there are upsets this weekend we’ll have like 7 fanbases demanding a rebuild
Unfortunately we won’t be one of them unless Mitchell wants out (and this has probably been his worst series as a Cav) – you ask out when you don’t have support not when it’s you who is stinky
Kenny on the other hand is probably gone Monday if we lose
make that Sunday night
Just awful shotmaking at the end. So many open 3s bounced out.
Make or miss loss, see you in Cleveland (and we hopefully don’t have the 10 am game lol
Rather have this in Games 4 and 6 than 7. Truly unfortunate bounce.
WTF was that flag football slob play?
Cavs ABCs. Always Be Choking.
That is 2 we have choked away
A mobley 3 attempt. Really?
Ceiling.
Fun game.
Hell of a shot by Mobley. Really dumb play by Schröder.
Yuck.
What a ridiculous finish. This series should be over. Disappointing.
Just need two.
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
Why pass to mobley in that situation. Game.
Lol.
OMG that call was pathetic
No threes, no Barnes