When the Cleveland Cavaliers needed to be at their best, they finally delivered.

For the first 21 minutes of Game 7, it looked like the same inconsistent team that had struggled all series. But with three minutes left in the second quarter, something clicked. The Cavaliers transformed into the powerhouse everyone expected to see back in Game 1.

Over the next 27 minutes, Cleveland outclassed Toronto in every facet of the game. They shot 51.5% from the floor, knocked down 38.5% of their threes, and dominated the glass with 10 offensive rebounds that turned into 14 second-chance points. Their defense forced seven turnovers, which they converted into another 14 points on the other end.

Meanwhile, the Raptors went ice cold, shooting just 29.2% from the field and 1-of-8 from beyond the arc during that stretch. What was once a nine-point Toronto lead quickly turned into a 19-point Cavaliers advantage.

Toronto made a late push in the fourth quarter, but Cleveland never let the lead slip below double digits, cruising to a 114-102 victory.

The true star of the night was Jarrett Allen. With Evan Mobley battling foul trouble, Allen stepped up in a huge way, posting 22 points, 19 rebounds (eight offensive), three blocks, and two steals. It was a performance that hadn't been seen in a Game 7 since Nikola Jokić did it back in 2020. Donovan Mitchell added 22 points of his own, while James Harden chipped in 18 after a slow start.

For the Raptors, Scottie Barnes was impressive with 24 points and nine rebounds on efficient 8-of-14 shooting. RJ Barrett scored 23, but needed 25 shots to get there. As a team, Toronto struggled from deep, hitting just 29% of their three-point attempts.

The win sends Cleveland to Detroit for a second-round showdown with the No. 1 seed Pistons. If the Cavaliers can carry this momentum, they might just be the team to beat in the East.