Game 6 in the “6ix.”
Those words were mentioned in the pregame broadcast by NBA on Prime announcer Michael Grady. You want to talk about hyping a game — this was it.
Everything was at stake for Toronto up to this point. Whatever happened, it was clear the Raptors weren’t going down without a fight, especially with their home court advantage. That’s been significantly helpful for Toronto this postseason, going a substantial 2-0 at home against Cleveland.
For the Cavs, they were just focused on maintaining enough momentum closing out the series. However, the Raptors were taking it one step at a time. Although the current state of the series wasn’t pretty, it was about potentially forcing a Game 7, being the franchise’s first appearance in one since 2020.
Their home-court advantage has carried all postseason, but Game 6 revealed that Toronto not only has a promising future, but a closer on the offensive side of the ball.
RJ Barrett Becomes Hometown Hero and Raptors’ New Closer
Barrett’s Moment was More Significant Than the Shot
Game 6 needed a hero. One to step up at the right time, give fans hope, and provide big time moments in an elimination game. Fans witnessed that on Friday night with RJ Barrett.
Barrett’s confidence and aggression to take a shot with the season on the line, shows preparation and that Toronto has a perimeter scorer who embraces pressure. In a postgame interview, Barrett stated how he is “willing to live and die … taking that shot.”
These are the type of moments that change a franchise’s outlook on a player — and how a player views himself.
The RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes Duo
Despite the absences of Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram, the Raptors had no problem getting off to a hot start. In just the first half, Toronto shot 52.4% from the field compared to Cleveland’s 44.7%, while also shooting 50.0% from three, with Barrett going 3-4 from beyond the arc.
Barrett attacked while Scottie Barnes showed his versatile handling skills late in the second quarter, including an ability to dial open teammates with 10 assists in the first half. Together, they gave the Raptors a sense of belief and forced Cleveland to make adjustments.
Why This Shot Changes Toronto’s Identity
Ever since the departure of Kawhi Leonard in 2019, Toronto has searched for a late-game closer when everything is on the line.
On Friday, Barrett stepped into that role, becoming a “hometown hero” in the process. He gave Toronto a trusted perimeter scorer who could take the pressure off Barnes in big moments. Heading into Game 7, Cleveland will be forced to neutralize both Barnes and Barrett throughout four quarters, creating a sense of confidence for the role players to step up even more.
The Last Word
In great games, you can feel when a player enters a different level — a “flow state” where the moment slows down and the pressure becomes fuel. Barrett lived in that space.
Years from now, fans may look back at this night as the moment the Raptors’ next era truly began. Not because of the shot, but because of what it revealed:
- Toronto has a closer
- Toronto has a duo
- The future is now
With one more matchup left, the Raptors aren’t just fighting to extend their season, but to announce themselves as a rising team, and one to be taken more seriously.
© Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
