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Jarrett Allen's 22/19/3 Leads Cavs Past Raptors

5/6/2026

Summary

Allen Dominates

Jarrett Allen recorded 22 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks in Game 7, helping Cleveland beat Toronto.
He scored 14 points, 10 rebounds and a block in the third quarter and finished 8-of-14 from the line with a +13 plus/minus.
The performance reversed earlier criticism after a 1-for-4 shooting night and three rebounds in Game 1 versus Detroit, prompting analysts to say Cleveland will try to carry the momentum forward.

Summary

Cleveland Wins

Cleveland won Game 7 as the bench posted a +30 rating, led by Sam Merrill’s three triples (+16), Jaylon Tyson’s three-pointer (+19) and Max Strus’s 12 points and a +20 impact.
Coach Kenny Atkinson warned Cavs to secure series without depending on guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
Analysts cite the Cavs’ reliance on isolation and stalled development of Evan Mobley after the Raptors, a team that won to force Game 7.

Summary

Raptors Reshape

The Raptors finished the series without Brandon Ingram (right heel injury) and Immanuel Quickley (right hamstring strain).
Toronto exercised team options on Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jamal Shead, has free-agent deals with Garrett Temple and A.J. Lawson, and holds the No. 19 and No. 50 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The series was the only first-round matchup where the home team won every game, preserving an all-time Game 7 home-team record of 117-41.

History

Historical Context

The 1995 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 7, played on June 1, 1995, saw the Houston Rockets defeat the New York Knicks 84-82. Houston’s star center Hakeem Olajuwon contributed 25 points, 12 rebounds, and a decisive block, while the franchise posted a 57-25 regular-season record. Similarly, the 2024 Game 7 between Cleveland and Toronto saw Jarrett Allen record 22 points, 19 rebounds and a +13 plus/minus, mirroring Olajuwon’s interior dominance. The parallel underscores how Game 7 interior performances can shift series outcomes, prompting teams to prioritize dominant big men in future playoff strategies.

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Allen Dominates

Jarrett Allen recorded 22 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks in Game 7, helping Cleveland beat Toronto.
He scored 14 points, 10 rebounds and a block in the third quarter and finished 8-of-14 from the line with a +13 plus/minus.
The performance reversed earlier criticism after a 1-for-4 shooting night and three rebounds in Game 1 versus Detroit, prompting analysts to say Cleveland will try to carry the momentum forward.

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