Raptors Top Cavaliers 126-104 in Game 3, Series 2-1

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes delivered a career playoff-high 33 points and 11 assists to lead his team to a decisive 126-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of their first-round NBA playoff series on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena. The win narrows Cleveland's series lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven matchup, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the same venue.

Barnes dominated on both ends of the court, adding five rebounds while orchestrating Toronto's offense and providing stout defense. Fellow forward RJ Barrett, from Mississauga, Ontario, matched Barnes' scoring output with his own playoff career high of 33 points, including five rebounds and five assists. Barrett was particularly sharp from beyond the arc, converting six of eight three-point attempts. Backup center Collin Murray-Boyles emerged as a key contributor off the bench, posting 22 points and eight rebounds, which set a franchise record for the most points by a Raptors rookie in a playoff game.

For Cleveland, guard James Harden paced the team with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists, but the Cavaliers struggled to find consistent rhythm. Reserve swingman Max Strus provided...