<\/p>\n
The Toronto Raptors<\/a> are beginning to lock down Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, which may turn the tide in their first-round playoff series.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mitchell and Harden both started the series hot but have gone cold over their past two games, in part due to Toronto’s stingy defense. The defensive effort has been key in evening the best-of-seven series at 2-2 and giving the Raptors the momentum heading into Game 5 in Cleveland on Wednesday.<\/p>\n In a 93-89 win on Sunday, Toronto contested 26-of-38 field-goal attempts by Harden and Mitchell (via ESPN Insights). They shot 6-of-26 (23 percent, atrocious) on those looks.<\/p>\n The Raptors’ pestering of Mitchell and Harden made a difference late in Sunday’s matchup. Toronto went on a 17-5 run to end the game. Mitchell also missed a game-tying three-point attempt when Cleveland trailed 90-87 with 8.6 seconds left.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nDonovan Mitchell, James Harden going cold could help Raptors win series after trailing 2-0<\/h2>\n