\n
\n\t\t\tThe Cavaliers are trying to quickly move on from a heartbreaking Game 6 loss in Toronto, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The shorthanded Raptors outplayed the Cavs through three quarters on Friday, but Cleveland clawed its way back from a double-digit deficit to force overtime and briefly held a couple of leads with less than a minute left in the extra period before RJ Barrett hit a high-bouncing game-winner.
\n\u201cThe first thing I said when we came in here, we\u2019ve just got to protect home court,\u201d Donovan Mitchell explained late Friday night following the 112-110 overtime loss. \u201cIf I sit here and continue to sulk about that shot, then we\u2019re not preparing for what\u2019s coming forward. That shot happened. It\u2019s over. They won. Cool. We\u2019ve got to protect home court. Simple as that.\u201d
\nThe Cavs have the most expensive roster in the league and major changes could be in store if they have another early playoff exit, Fedor notes. Still, history is on their side, as the home team has won every game so far in the first-round matchup and Toronto has never won in Cleveland during the playoffs (0-10 all time).
\n\u201cJust one game at home,\u201d James Harden said. \u201cWe don\u2019t really look at it as a Game 7. You get an opportunity to go out there and play at home and win a game.\u201d
\nHere\u2019s more on the Cavs ahead of Sunday evening\u2019s Game 7:<\/p>\n
Cleveland had \u201cno business\u201d losing Game 6 to a less talented team playing without injured starters Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, who points out that Mitchell and Harden have had an uneven first series together. Mitchell got off to a strong start in the first two games but has struggled since, while Harden has been turning the ball over at an alarming rate (5.7 per game) throughout the series due to Toronto\u2019s ball pressure. \u201cI don\u2019t think Donovan, offensively, played well. I didn\u2019t play well,\u201d Harden said. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s about that. The best players and stars aren\u2019t going to score 30 every game. I think for us, it\u2019s doing the things that\u2019s necessary for us to win.\u201d
\nBig man Evan Mobley believes the officials missed a key call late in overtime, when Collin Murray-Boyles poked the ball away from and off Mobley, forcing a turnover that led to Barrett\u2019s game-winning shot, per Fedor. However, the one-time All-Star isn\u2019t dwelling on the past. \u201cWe\u2019ve got one game that we\u2019ve got to win, and it\u2019s at home,\u201d Mobley said. \u201cThis is what we fought early in the season [for], to get home court advantage. Ball is in our court, and we\u2019ve just got to come together and produce and come out with a win.\u201d
\nIn an interesting feature story for The Athletic, Mirin Fader details how Mitchell\u2019s relentless work ethic and team-first attitude have left a lasting positive impression in Cleveland as he looks to make the first deep playoff run of his career. \u201cAlmost every game he\u2019s saying something about what he needs to do better,\u201d Sam Merrill said. \u201cAny time he\u2019s trying to get after the whole team he always turns to himself. It\u2019s like, \u2018Dude. You\u2019re the face of the franchise. It\u2019s OK to just yell at us occasionally,\u2019 but that\u2019s just the kind of person he is.\u201d<\/p>\n