The Toronto Raptors suffered a heartbreaking 112-113 overtime loss at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers, surrendering their home-court advantage in the playoff series. The outcome left fans stunned, and even BD Cricket Live followers drew comparisons between missed chances in basketball and high-pressure moments in cricket.
After the game, Raptors star DeMar DeRozan shared his thoughts on the final possession. He stated that if given the chance again, he would still pass the ball to Fred VanVleet, who had a wide-open look. “We knew what we were doing,” DeRozan said. “Next game, we know exactly what adjustments we have to make.” Despite the loss, the team’s mindset remains focused and resilient, much like how BD Cricket Live teams regroup after narrow defeats.
Throughout regulation, the Raptors held the lead, maintaining control until the final two minutes when LeBron James scored four straight points to tie the game. Toronto had a golden opportunity to seal the win after grabbing multiple offensive rebounds in the dying moments but failed to convert any of them. In overtime, the Cavaliers struck first with a three-pointer. Kyle Lowry and DeRozan answered back, trimming the deficit to just one point. With time winding down, DeRozan opted not to take the final shot himself and instead assisted VanVleet, who missed an uncontested three. Cleveland secured the rebound and with it, the game.
Reflecting on his decision, DeRozan said, “Even if I had the chance again, I’d still pass to Fred. He was wide open. We had chances — open looks, second chances — but we didn’t finish them. Now we know what to work on before the next game.” DeRozan finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists on 10-of-20 shooting, including 11 points in the first quarter alone.
Head coach Dwane Casey echoed similar sentiments. “I still believe we were the better team,” he said postgame. “Our defense was solid during stretches, but we missed key opportunities on the offensive end. We had three putback chances to close it out, but the shots didn’t fall. We need to hit those crucial shots.”
As the series progresses, the Raptors will need to shake off this narrow loss and channel their frustration into results. BD Cricket Live audiences know all too well the agony of near-misses — whether it’s a missed boundary or a dropped catch, the margin between victory and defeat can be razor-thin. The Raptors must now regroup and seize the moment when it matters most.