Cavaliers: Playoff lives on the line tonight

The outcome of tonight's win-or-go-home encounter is anyone's guess.Will Cleveland fans witness one of the epic collapses in Cavaliers' history? Or will the home team stand up and be counted in Game 7 of its Eastern Conference first-round series with the upstart Toronto Raptors?The spirited series is tied 3-3 coming into tonight's 7:30 showdown. The Cavs succumbed to the Raptors 112-110 in overtime in Game 6 when swingman RJ Barrett's 3-pointer bounced high in the air and through the rim with 1.2 seconds remaining.Cleveland held a 110-109 advantage with 10 seconds left but committed a dreadful turnover. Guard Dennis Schroder was being pressured by Toronto and just before crossing the midcourt, he fired a pass to power forward Evan Mobley near the sideline. Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles swiped at the ball and knocked it off Mobley and out of bounds.It was one of 18 turnovers by the Cavs in the game, something that has plagued them throughout the series.Some questioned why the 7-foot Mobley was even in the game on that possession. Normally, teams would have their best ballhandlers and free-throw shooters on the court at that point.So, instead of possibly getting fouled and shooting free throws to extend their lead, the Cavs were trying to protect a one-point lead in the waning seconds.Barrett's 29-foot shot extended the Raptors' season and set up Game 7.Cavs guard James Harden doesn't seem overly concerned with tonight's game."Do the same thing we've been doing all year long," he said. "(It's) just one game at home. We don't even look at it as a Game 7. You get an opportunity to go out there and play at home and win the game." Cleveland is attempting to advance to the East semifinals for the third consecutive season. It defeated Miami 4-0 in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, as well as Orlando 4-3 in 2024.The winner of tonight's game will square off against the survivor of the Detroit-Orlando series, whose Game 7 is also tonight. Several factors seem to give Cleveland an edge in the game: The home team has won each of the first six games in the series. The Cavs are also 10-0 lifetime against Toronto in the playoffs at Rocket Arena, including 3-0 in 2026. Cleveland is 15-5 lifetime against the Raptors in the postseason. The Cavs have faced Toronto three times previously in the playoffs and won all three (4-2 in 2016, 4-0 in 2017 and 4-0 in 2018). Cleveland has fared well in Game 7s, as it has won four in a row and six of nine overall in franchise postseason history. Its last Game 7 came in 2024 against the Orlando Magic when the Cavs prevailed 106-94. Cleveland is 16-3 (.842) at Rocket Arena in its last 19 home games since Jan. 23. That's the best home winning percentage in the NBA in that span. The Cavs have also won seven in a row at home. If things don't work out in Cleveland's favor in tonight's game, major changes could take place. The Cavs have the highest payroll in the NBA and a first-round playoff exit won't sit well with owner Dan Gilbert – nor should it. Coach Kenny Atkinson's job could be in jeopardy, despite winning Coach of the Year in 2025. Also, Cleveland's front office might think twice about signing Donovan Mitchell to a maximum contract extension (2026-27 is the last guaranteed year on his deal) or about extending 36-year-old Harden's contract. Big man emerging Mobley recorded his 11th career postseason double-double with a team-high 26 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and one steal in Game 6. He shot 9-for-15 from the field, including 3-for-7 from beyond the arc. His 26 points was the second-highest scoring output of his postseason career. He is the fourth player in Cavs postseason history with at least 26 points and 14 rebounds in a game (LeBron James, Brad Daugherty and Larry Nance) and first since James in 2018. It was also his first back-to-back 20-point games. In his last two contests, Mobley is averaging 24.5 points and shooting 17-for-28 from the field (.607) and 6-for-10 from beyond the arc (.600). Looking ahead Game 1 of the East semifinals against the winner of the Detroit-Orlando series will be played Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, May 11, May 13, May 15 and May 17. The last three games will be on an as-needed basis. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.