The Toronto Raptors are facing elimination after a 125-120 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their playoff series on Wednesday night.
Toronto now leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 with Game 6 set for Friday at Scotiabank Arena.
The Raptors were plagued by injuries throughout the game as Scottie Barnes played despite visible discomfort after being hit on his quad and later suffering an eye injury.
Barnes finished with 17 points and 11 assists but admitted after the game: “I couldn’t play at the same pace I was trying to play with, just limping a little bit. I was just trying to push through it, trying to win the game.”
According to head coach Darko Rajakovic, Brandon Ingram also exited early due to heel inflammation.
RJ Barrett led Toronto with 25 points and 12 rebounds, adding: “Especially now. Now it’s do or die. Now we’ve got to go out there and we’ve got to fight, we’ve got to work hard together.”
Young guards Jacoby Walter and Jamal Sheed led the way with 20 and 18 points, respectively, but Cleveland’s offense proved too strong.
Toronto will now try to force a decisive Game 7 with a home win on Friday.
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