Adjustments Raptors could make to avoid another Cleveland clobbering

Changes on defence are needed, but offence should be tweaked as well.

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Published Apr 19, 2026  •  Last updated 3 minutes ago  •  5 minute read

Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles drives on Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Saturday, April 18, 2026, In Cleveland. Photo by David Dermer /AP

Putting it lightly, things didn’t go Toronto’s way in Saturday afternoon’s playoff opener in Cleveland. Superstars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden basically did what they wanted on offence, without much trouble from the opposition, Raptors counterparts Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram each disappeared for half the game and Toronto was not able to create turnovers and score in transition. Jakob Poeltl looked hobbled and slow, Cleveland’s bench excelled while Toronto’s barely registered (with one exception) and Immanuel Quickley was missed.

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The positives: A 35% three-point shooting team in the regular season connected on 48% in Game 1 (though the 27 attempts, five fewer than usual, were not nearly enough); Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles did not look out of place, continuing a theme from the regular season; Jamal Shead had a strong fill-in start at point guard.

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Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic had his hands full Sunday trying to figure out what adjustments needed to be made and which ones had the best chances of working. He doesn’t get the benefit now of a second day off between games to study and implement, as will be the case between the next batch of games through a potential fifth game. Before Rajakovic and the Raptors know it, the ball will be tipped again Monday.

Cleveland won’t have much to change. The visitors definitely will. Here are some ideas:

MAKE A LINEUP CHANGE

We’re assuming for now that starting point guard Immanuel Quickley will again not be available. Regardless, Rajakovic should start Murray-Boyles and bring Poeltl off the bench. Poeltl says he feels healthy after battling a back issue for much of the year, but he doesn’t look to be moving the way he once did. Murray-Boyles might be five inches shorter than Poeltl, but he is much quicker and more athletic. Cleveland loves to run pick-and-rolls or isolation plays to let its dynamic guards dominate. Poeltl can’t switch as quickly as Murray-Boyles or guard 1-on-1 against non-centres to the same level.

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Murray-Boyles isn’t anywhere close to the screener on offence as Poeltl yet, and that probably hurts players like Ingram, but you gain more than you lose overall by making this change in this series.

Plus, it’s not the craziest idea, since the Raptors did start Murray-Boyles 22 times out of 57 appearances, including two games where they opted to bring Poeltl off the bench.

Swapping Ja’Kobe Walter’s far superior defence and more consistent three-point shooting for RJ Barrett could also be an option, but it’s probably less likely to happen. Rajakovic could also start Walter and bring Shead off the bench, which was his preference when Quickley couldn’t play for much of the year. That might allow Barnes to be more consistently involved on offence as the de facto point guard.

TOGGLE THE DEFENCE

Barnes is going to get defensive player of the year and all-defensive votes (including from this corner). He’s one of the most versatile and special defenders in the NBA, capable of guarding everyone from top centres, to point guards and wings. In Game 1 Barnes was put on Evan Mobley as his primary assignment. Mobley is a good player, but he’s not Mitchell or Harden. Let Ingram guard Mobley, despite giving up size against him. If the Cavs want to go to that mismatch, let them. It’s better than allowing two of the most gifted offensive players in NBA history to try to do everything. Let Barnes guard one of them and show the world what he’s capable of.

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Murray-Boyles should be better able to counter the Harden-Jarrett Allen two-man wrecking crew than Poeltl and if he’s switched onto Mitchell or Harden likely will have a better chance of bothering either of them.

It might be worth living with giving Harden a bit more space and letting him launch more three-pointers, because the alternative, getting up on him and allowing him to drive for floaters or lobs, has proven for many years now to be less than ideal.

RIDE THE STARS

Rajakovic admitted that early Barnes foul trouble messed with Toronto’s rotation plans. They need to find a way to make sure that one of Ingram or Barnes is always on the floor. If Quickley isn’t available, the Raptors simply don’t have enough offensive talent to get by without both Barnes and Ingram on the floor. Keeping at least one out there is a must to survive against a team as great offensively as Cleveland.

Putting Barnes on the floor with shooters has been a formula for success. Walter, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Barrett (who makes up for his shooting inconsistencies with great off-ball movement and chemistry with Barnes) and even A.J. Lawson or Jamison Battle are the best fits with him when Ingram is resting.

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When Barnes is resting, Poeltl should play with Ingram, Shead and Walter make sense too and they should not have Barrett with Ingram if Barnes is out because both are too easily victimized defensively. Going big with Murray-Boyles also on the floor could be an interesting look.

BE THE HUNTERS

Early on the Raptors fed Ingram and got out of the way. It worked. Rajakovic wants his team to move the ball a ton and it has worked in the regular season, but the playoffs are different. Ride your horses. Let Ingram attack mismatches and ask Barnes to do the same. Even Barrett, a proven bucket-getter, can exploit many of the Cavs.

Ingram only taking one shot in the second half should never happen.

And if Harden or Mitchell or Mobley or Allen get in foul trouble go right at them and try to make it worse.

Cleveland is a much more talented and more experienced team. They’ll be hard to beat four times regardless of what Rajakovic and his staff come up with. But these alterations could make things a bit more interesting at the least. You can bet the Raptors have thought of all of them and more. Let’s see what they come up with the rest of the way.

On X: @WolstatSun

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