Finally. The losing streak is over.
After dropping four straight and losing four of their first five, the Toronto Raptors snapped out of it with a 112–101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. On a night when most of the city’s attention was elsewhere, the Raptors quietly took the first step toward righting the ship in what remains a crucial season for this group.
They came into this one with questions hanging over them — identity, effort, consistency. And maybe, just maybe, last night answered one of those. Brandon Ingram posted 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. RJ Barrett and Jamison Battle each poured in 20. Scottie Barnes added a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.
But it was Battle’s night that stood out. Perfect. Seven-for-seven from the field, six-for-six from deep, all in under 15 minutes off the bench. The rookie sharpshooter changed the energy of the game the moment he checked in — every shot felt like a spark the Raptors desperately needed.
Now, this wasn’t all sunshine. The Cavaliers were missing key players — Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and others — so context matters. But caveats don’t erase impact. As Toronto clawed back from a 16-0 run that spanned halftime, Toronto found its rhythm when it mattered most.
Down 92-90 midway through the fourth, the Raptors responded with an 8-0 run of their own — Battle hit a dagger three, Ingram converted a three-point play, and suddenly the tide had turned. The kind of poised, decisive stretch this team has been missing.
This wasn’t just a win in the standings — it was a reminder. This team still has fight. Still has depth. Still has pieces worth believing in. The question now isn’t if they can compete, but how often. Because when they compete with purpose, they can hang with anybody — and beat anybody. The disappointment of the last four games came from knowing that, and seeing them fall short of it. But for at least one night, they looked like the Raptors they promised to be.
Effort alone didn’t magically fix everything. The defense still wobbled. Rotations still need work. The identity still flickers in and out. But for one night, Toronto played with belief, structure, and balance.
Because sometimes what matters most isn’t perfection — it’s the pause. The moment you stop the slide, reset your standard, and show a glimpse of who you’re trying to become. Last night, the Raptors found that pause. Now the challenge is simple: build on it, reinforce it, and prove it wasn’t just a one-night spark.
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