The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the final remaining spot in the second round of the NBA playoffs on Sunday, defeating the Toronto Raptors 114-102 at home in the seventh and deciding game of their opening series.
The Cavaliers, who finished fourth in the regular season, have now secured their third consecutive appearance in the Eastern Conference semifinals. They are set to face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, who also advanced after a grueling seven-game series against the Orlando Magic.
Center Jarrett Allen proved to be the decisive factor in the victory, dominating the glass with 19 rebounds. Notably, his eight offensive rebounds surpassed the total recorded by the entire Raptors team. Allen supplemented his defensive performance with 22 points, matching the scoring output of teammate Donovan Mitchell.
Read more about this topic: NBA: LeBron James helps Lakers dominate Rockets (with videos)
This upcoming matchup marks the fifth time the Cavaliers and Pistons will meet in the NBA playoffs. Cleveland holds a historical advantage, having advanced in three of their previous four encounters. Detroit’s lone series victory against the Cavaliers occurred during the 2005/06 season, which was the first time the two franchises met in the postseason.
The Raptors returned to the playoffs this year after a four-season absence but were unable to progress past the first round, mirroring their 2021/22 exit. Their effort was led by Scottie Barnes, who recorded 24 points and nine rebounds, and RJ Barrett, who contributed 23 points in the losing effort.
