Cleveland Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley (4) dunks as Toronto Raptors’ Jakob Poeltl (19) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Evan Mobley scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors 136-106 on Wednesday in the NBA season opener for both teams.
Donovan Mitchell added 21 points for the Cavaliers, who took command of the game in the second quarter and led by 26 entering the fourth.
Caris LeVert scored 15 of his 19 points in the third quarter for the Cavaliers and shot 8-for-9 from the field. Jarrett Allen chipped in with 14 points and seven rebounds, Ty Jerome also scored 14 points and Georges Niang had 11.
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Cleveland’s Darius Garland, who picked up three fouls in the first quarter, had seven points and six assists.
Chris Boucher scored 18 points for the Raptors, who began their 30th season. Gradey Dick added 16 points. Jamal Shead contributed 10 points, and Scottie Barnes had nine points, six rebounds and five assists.
Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley did not play in the second half due to a right pelvic contusion. He finished with 13 points and four assists.
The Cavaliers led 33-32 after the first quarter, then scored the first eight points of the second.
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Mitchell’s jumper gave Cleveland a 10-point lead with 8:37 to play in the half. Toronto cut the deficit to four on Quickley’s floating jumper with 5:32 remaining.
Cleveland used a 9-0 surge to take a 16-point lead with 2:06 left in the half. The Cavaliers led 69-49 at halftime behind Mobley’s 19 points.
Garland picked up his fourth foul in the second quarter and was limited to 11 minutes and three points in the half.
Mitchell’s driving hook bumped Cleveland’s lead to 22 with 10:12 remaining in the third quarter. The margin reached 28 when LeVert hit a jumper with 6:23 left in the quarter.
Toronto trimmed the gap to 20 with 1:37 to play in the period before Niang hit consecutive 3-pointers. Cleveland led 105-79 after three quarters.
Niang’s layup gave Cleveland a 116-85 lead with 8:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Toronto was without RJ Barrett (shoulder), Bruce Brown (knee) and Kelly Olynyk (back).
Cleveland was missing Max Strus (ankle). –Field Level Media