Dean Wade summed up the Cleveland Cavaliers’ mindset after a crushing 112-110 overtime loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.
“It switched things a little bit. It definitely felt like we had it. But we know there’s Game 7 back at our house, so we’re not too down,” Wade said after RJ Barrett’s late three-pointer forced a decisive Game 7.
The Cavaliers forward emphasized short memory in playoff pressure situations. “Dwell on this for an hour or two, but by the time we land back in Cleveland, we’ll be over this and ready for Game 7,” he said.
The defeat came on a dramatic sequence in overtime, capped by Barrett’s shot that bounced high off the rim before dropping in. “It’s tough. It’s just one of those shots. Hits the back rim and goes straight up. It was a crazy shot,” Wade said.
He acknowledged familiarity with high-leverage endings in Toronto’s building. “I feel like that’s happened here before. It doesn’t make it any easier or harder. We still lost the game.”
Cleveland controlled stretches defensively, including a fourth quarter where Toronto was limited under pressure. Wade highlighted the late-game response. “I think we locked in on the defensive end. We came together and decided the only way we can get back in this is starts on the defensive end and more energy.”
The Cavaliers generated momentum by forcing missed shots and turning stops into transition opportunities. “Getting in transition is where we’re most dangerous. It starts on defense,” Wade said.
Toronto’s Scottie Barnes dictated tempo for stretches, finishing with 14 assists, but Wade felt Cleveland adjusted late. “He was definitely tired at the end today,” Wade said, noting the Raptors guard still delivered key passes in crunch time.
A controversial overturned call on a screen also drew attention late in the game. Wade was measured in his reaction. “It is what it is. I just got to be better. I got to move less, I guess.”
Despite the frustration, Wade pointed to Cleveland’s rebounding and overall structure as positives. “I thought we did a pretty good job rebounding. That was one of our big details.”
With Game 7 now set in Cleveland, Wade stressed emotional reset over reaction. “We can dwell on it for an hour or two, but we know we’re still alive. We still got one game left and it’s back at our home court, where we play the best.”
The series has followed a home-win pattern through six games, with both teams protected in their arenas. Wade kept the focus simple heading into the finale. “We got some things to go over. It’s not too hard to get over this one.”
