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Raptors star Brandon Ingram exits Game 5 vs. Cavs with heel injury
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- Raptors star Brandon Ingram exits Game 5 vs. Cavs with heel injury
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The Toronto Raptors are deadlocked in a very tight series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. After dropping the first two games in Cleveland, Toronto defended its home court to even the series at two apiece heading back to Cleveland for a pivotal Game 5.
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While the Raptors got off to a hot start in Game 5, taking a 74-67 lead into the halftime break, they will have to go the rest of the way without one of their stars. Brandon Ingram suffered a heel injury during the first half and will not return to the game, per ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel.
In a series that has been dominated by defense, the Raptors had a monster first half offensively against the Cavs. Five players scored in double figures and Toronto shot 65% from the field and 10-of-17 from behind the 3-point line, putting it in a good position to take a lead in the series.
In somewhat of a silver lining for the Raptors, Ingram wasn’t a big part of that first-half production. The star forward scored just one point on 0-of-2 shooting in 11 minutes before leaving the game with the injury. In his place, RJ Barrett dropped 16 points and Ja’Kobe Walter snapped out of a huge shooting slump with a 17-point half to give the Raptors the lead.
Ingram’s difficult Game 5 is unfortunately a continuation of what has been a very difficult series for him. He has only eclipsed 20 points once, in Game 4, and threw up a seven-point stinker in Game 2. Now, picking up an injury during a very quiet half in the first place just brings things from bad to worse.
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If the Raptors can sneak out a win in Game 5, they would head back home for Game 6 with a chance to close out the series and advance to the second round. The Cavs, who are playing with much more expectation on their shoulders, would be feeling the pressure in that situation, so this is a very important half in front of the Raptors in Game 5.
Related: Scottie Barnes believes Raptors need Brandon Ingram to beat Cavs
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