The Toronto Raptors clawed their way back into the series with a gritty 102-99 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 on Sunday. In a low-scoring affair that highlighted defensive intensity, the Raptors managed to level the Eastern Conference semifinals at two games apiece.
Neither team shot well from the field, with the Raptors connecting on 43% of their attempts and the Cavaliers shooting just 41%. Toronto's bench provided a crucial spark, outscoring Cleveland's reserves 32-18. Kyle Lowry led the way for the Raptors with 22 points and 10 assists, while DeMar DeRozan chipped in 19 points.
For the Cavaliers, LeBron James posted a triple-double with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome Toronto's balanced attack. The Raptors' defense held Cleveland to just 15 points in the fourth quarter, sealing the win.
"It was a war out there," said Raptors head coach Dwane Casey. "Our guys showed a lot of heart and resilience. We knew we had to step up defensively, and they did exactly that."
The series now shifts back to Cleveland for a pivotal Game 5.