Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden did not point to shooting or talent after the 93-89 Game 4 loss to the Toronto Raptors, instead identifying missed chances late as the defining issue.
“A thousand percent. Thousand percent,” Harden said when asked if Cleveland let the game slip away. “We had opportunities where we’re up and we just got to hold in and get stops and get rebounds and get a good shot.”
The Cavaliers led multiple times but were outscored 10-2 over the final 1:54, allowing Toronto to even the series at 2-2 heading into Game 5 in Cleveland. Harden said those late-game moments have repeated across the last two losses.
“We had two, three opportunities, up eight points, couple stops in a row, get it up to double digits,” he said. “But we just couldn’t get them stops. We didn’t close the game. So, that’s the game right there.”
Cleveland committed 18 turnovers and shot 10-for-40 from three, while the Raptors went just 4-for-30 from deep, leaving execution as the deciding factor. Harden pointed to controllable details as the difference.
“Too many turnovers,” he said. “But with all that being said, we still had opportunities. If we do that, then it’s just a different outcome.”
The former MVP also emphasized the mental side of playoff basketball, especially on the road at Scotiabank Arena.
“Definitely mental. The game of basketball is mental,” Harden said. “When things are going crazy, crowd’s going crazy, they make a run, we make a run, you still got to focus on the task at hand.”
Donovan Mitchell scored 20 points on 6-for-24 shooting, while Harden finished with 19 points and seven turnovers. He said Toronto’s defensive approach has forced Cleveland to adjust, particularly with increased pressure and “top lock” coverage.
“Guys got to be aggressive with the top lock,” Harden said. “It’s time for us to make an adjustment… getting to the basket and taking shots and opportunities when we have them.”
On the final possession after Scottie Barnes’ go-ahead free throws, Harden explained his decision-making as Toronto collapsed the paint.
“I didn’t want to get myself into a position where I got too deep in the paint and then I didn’t really have an outlet,” he said. “They’ve been doing an unbelievable job of just swarming the paint.”
Despite the back-to-back losses, the veteran guard remained confident with the series shifting back to Cleveland.
“It’s 2-2 now. It’s the best of three. Our way,” Harden said. “We’ve been great all year long at home… we’ll play better.”
He added that the Cavaliers have controlled large stretches of the series but failed to capitalize.
“It’s not like they’re doing something crazy,” Harden said. “We got opportunities and we will.”
