Mitchell Demands Focus on Home Court After Barrett Sinks Cavs with Overtime Buzzer Beater

Posted : 02 May 2026

The Toronto Raptors forced a decisive Game 7 in their playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers following a dramatic 103-102 overtime victory on Friday night. RJ Barrett emerged as the hero for Toronto by sinking a remarkable game-winning shot at the buzzer. The ball bounced off the back of the rim and circled the cylinder before dropping through with just over a second left on the clock.

This result stuns the Cavaliers who were within seconds of clinching the series on the road. Donovan Mitchell led the team’s scoring efforts but was left visibly frustrated by the improbable nature of the final basket. Despite the loss, Mitchell remained focused on the immediate future during his post-game media session. He repeatedly emphasized the necessity of protecting their home court in the upcoming final game.

Evan Mobley provided a massive performance for Cleveland by recording 26 points and 14 rebounds. He was the primary defender on the final play and contested Barrett’s shot effectively. Mobley noted that the ball took an unlucky bounce that favored the Raptors. He echoed Mitchell’s sentiments by stating that the team fought hard for home-court advantage during the regular season specifically for moments like this.

Experience within the locker room will be vital for Cleveland as they prepare for the pressure of a Game 7. Veteran players like James Harden and Dennis Schroder have faced similar elimination scenarios throughout their careers. Harden advised his teammates to limit their frustration to a few minutes before shifting their attention to film study and tactical adjustments. He stressed that dwelling on the "plinko" style bounce of the last shot would not help them win the next match.

The Raptors have now successfully defended their own court to tie the series at three wins apiece. Momentum shifts back to Cleveland for the winner-takes-all clash on Sunday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Dean Wade mentioned that the team has survived difficult basketball experiences before. He believes the group is resilient enough to bounce back from the sting of this narrow defeat.

Cleveland’s defensive effort in the fourth quarter was a silver lining as they held Toronto to only 12 points to force overtime. Mitchell pointed out that the team did many positive things that should not be overlooked due to one lucky bounce. The Cavaliers must now replicate that defensive intensity for a full 48 minutes to keep their championship aspirations alive.

Mitchell Demands Focus on Home Court After Barrett Sinks Cavs with Overtime Buzzer Beater

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