Cavs-Raptors Game 3 halftime dribbles

Random dribbles following the first half of Game 3 of the Cavaliers-Raptors playoff series Thursday in Toronto.

1. To be honest, the Cavs haven’t played all that great. Very up and down. That’s the not-so-great news. The good is they’re still tied (54-all).

2. Toronto came out on fire, both energy-wise and when it came to making shots. But the Cavs never let themselves get too far out of it. Some things to clean up, but all in all, they’ve weathered the storm to this point.

3. Max Strus and Jaylon Tyson gave a lift off the bench, and if the Cavs are gonna win this, they’ll need more of that. Strus hit some shots, grabbed some rebounds, and just played with an edge. Tyson has done a nice job finding the open man under the hoop.

4. Dean Wade and the Cavs continue to do a nice job on Brandon Ingram (five points, 2-of-5 shooting). Ingram also took a seat on the bench late in the second with four fouls. Yes, four.

5. Now if the Cavs could only slow down Scottie Barnes. He’s been a monster at both ends, with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting. If it weren’t for Barnes, the Raptors might be down 10.

6. It also helps that the Cavs’ free-throw defense has been outstanding. That’s obviously a joke — but the Raptors are a miserable 6-of-12 at the line. The Cavs are 12-of-15.

7. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden each have seven points on a combined 4-of-13 shooting. Harden is just 1-of-6, all on threes. One of those guys needs to get it going here soon.

8. Strus has 12 points in 12 minutes. Mobley has nine, but just 2-of-7 shooting. The Cavs need someone to take this over. Probably two or three someones. Talk to you after.