RJ Barrett watched the ball bounce like it had a mind of its own Friday night, and the Toronto Raptors watched their season come back from the brink. His improbable, rattling 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime dropped to give Toronto a 112-110 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and extend the series to a winner-take-all Game 7 in Cleveland on Sunday.
The bounce that saved Toronto
With the Raptors down late in overtime, they forced a turnover and pushed the ball up the floor, eventually swinging it to Barrett at the top of the arc. Sportsnet detailed how Barrett’s shot smacked off the back of the rim, launched high above the backboard and somehow fell through, a dramatic finish that instantly drew comparisons to Kawhi Leonard’s famous 2019 clincher.
Stats, miscues and momentum swings
According to the Associated Press, the final score was 112-110 in overtime, with Toronto’s victory forcing that decisive Game 7 in Cleveland. Scottie Barnes powered the Raptors with 25 points and 14 assists, while Barrett added 24. Evan Mobley led Cleveland with 26 points and 14 rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell finished with 24 for the Cavs.
Cleveland’s 18 turnovers turned into 25 Toronto points, a brutal giveaway total in a game this tight. The Raptors also ran out for a lopsided edge in fast-break scoring, key swings that helped fuel their late surge and set the stage for Barrett’s miracle heave.
Winner-take-all shifts to Cleveland
The series now shifts back to Cleveland for Game 7 on Sunday, with the league’s official game page carrying the matchup details and full box score. Fans can find the breakdown on NBA.com, though the exact tip time was still being finalized after Friday’s finish.
What to watch Sunday
Ball security and bench production are likely to decide who moves on. If the Cavaliers can cut down the turnovers and squeeze more reliable scoring out of their role players, they are positioned to close it out at home. If the Raptors ride the emotional jolt from Barrett’s bouncing dagger and keep their transition attack humming on the road, Sunday’s Game 7 could turn into another instant classic.
