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Jamshedpur FC thrashes Chennaiyin FC, reignites ISL title hopes  Jamshedpur FC produced a commanding performance to defeat Chennaiyin FC 4-1 in Indian Super League 2025-26 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday.A brace by Sanan Mohammed, along with goals from Raphaël Messi Bouli and Nikola Stojanović, secured three points for the host after five matches. It climbs to fourth in the standings with 18 points, while Chennaiyin FC remains 10th with nine points.Jamshedpur took the lead in the seventh minute through Sanan. A well-worked move down the right saw Rosenberg Gabriel deliver a low cross into the box. While Messi Bouli failed to connect, the ball fell to Sanan’s foot, who fired home from close range to give the host an early advantage.The momentum stayed with Jamshedpur, which continued to press forward and create chances through Talal and Stojanović, both of whom came close from distance. Chennaiyin, however, remained a threat on the break and was unlucky not to equalise when Irfan Yadwad struck the post following a neat pass from Mandar Dessai.Jamshedpur doubled its lead in the 27th minute. Nikhil Barla floated in an inviting cross from the left, and Messi Bouli rose highest to head the ball into the top corner, making it 2-0. The host continued to dominate proceedings, creating multiple opportunities before the break, but was unable to extend its lead further.ALSO READ | Mumbai City, Bengaluru play out goalless drawChennaiyin attempted to respond after the restart and saw more of the ball in the early stages of the second half, but struggled to break down a disciplined Jamshedpur defence, with Albino Gomes producing another sharp save to deny Daniel Chima.Jamshedpur struck again in the 58th minute to effectively seal the contest. Following a quick transition from a goal kick, Sanan found space behind the Chennaiyin defence, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted home his second of the night to make it 3-0.Chennaiyin pulled one back in the 68th minute through Prakadeswaran S, who cut inside from the right and curled a fine effort into the top corner, offering the visitor a glimmer of hope.However, Jamshedpur restored its three-goal cushion ten minutes later. A well-worked move involving Rosenberg Gabriel and Rei Tachikawa saw the ball worked across to Stojanović, who finished clinically from close range to make it 4-1.Both sides continued to push forward in the closing stages, but neither could add to the scoreline as Jamshedpur comfortably saw out the match.Published on Apr 25, 2026  #Jamshedpur #thrashes #Chennaiyin #reignites #ISL #title #hopes

Jamshedpur FC thrashes Chennaiyin FC, reignites ISL title hopes

Jamshedpur FC produced a commanding performance to defeat Chennaiyin FC 4-1 in Indian Super League 2025-26 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday.

A brace by Sanan Mohammed, along with goals from Raphaël Messi Bouli and Nikola Stojanović, secured three points for the host after five matches. It climbs to fourth in the standings with 18 points, while Chennaiyin FC remains 10th with nine points.

Jamshedpur took the lead in the seventh minute through Sanan. A well-worked move down the right saw Rosenberg Gabriel deliver a low cross into the box. While Messi Bouli failed to connect, the ball fell to Sanan’s foot, who fired home from close range to give the host an early advantage.

The momentum stayed with Jamshedpur, which continued to press forward and create chances through Talal and Stojanović, both of whom came close from distance. Chennaiyin, however, remained a threat on the break and was unlucky not to equalise when Irfan Yadwad struck the post following a neat pass from Mandar Dessai.

Jamshedpur doubled its lead in the 27th minute. Nikhil Barla floated in an inviting cross from the left, and Messi Bouli rose highest to head the ball into the top corner, making it 2-0. The host continued to dominate proceedings, creating multiple opportunities before the break, but was unable to extend its lead further.

ALSO READ | Mumbai City, Bengaluru play out goalless draw

Chennaiyin attempted to respond after the restart and saw more of the ball in the early stages of the second half, but struggled to break down a disciplined Jamshedpur defence, with Albino Gomes producing another sharp save to deny Daniel Chima.

Jamshedpur struck again in the 58th minute to effectively seal the contest. Following a quick transition from a goal kick, Sanan found space behind the Chennaiyin defence, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted home his second of the night to make it 3-0.

Chennaiyin pulled one back in the 68th minute through Prakadeswaran S, who cut inside from the right and curled a fine effort into the top corner, offering the visitor a glimmer of hope.

However, Jamshedpur restored its three-goal cushion ten minutes later. A well-worked move involving Rosenberg Gabriel and Rei Tachikawa saw the ball worked across to Stojanović, who finished clinically from close range to make it 4-1.

Both sides continued to push forward in the closing stages, but neither could add to the scoreline as Jamshedpur comfortably saw out the match.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#Jamshedpur #thrashes #Chennaiyin #reignites #ISL #title #hopes

Jamshedpur FC produced a commanding performance to defeat Chennaiyin FC 4-1 in Indian Super League 2025-26 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday.

A brace by Sanan Mohammed, along with goals from Raphaël Messi Bouli and Nikola Stojanović, secured three points for the host after five matches. It climbs to fourth in the standings with 18 points, while Chennaiyin FC remains 10th with nine points.

Jamshedpur took the lead in the seventh minute through Sanan. A well-worked move down the right saw Rosenberg Gabriel deliver a low cross into the box. While Messi Bouli failed to connect, the ball fell to Sanan’s foot, who fired home from close range to give the host an early advantage.

The momentum stayed with Jamshedpur, which continued to press forward and create chances through Talal and Stojanović, both of whom came close from distance. Chennaiyin, however, remained a threat on the break and was unlucky not to equalise when Irfan Yadwad struck the post following a neat pass from Mandar Dessai.

Jamshedpur doubled its lead in the 27th minute. Nikhil Barla floated in an inviting cross from the left, and Messi Bouli rose highest to head the ball into the top corner, making it 2-0. The host continued to dominate proceedings, creating multiple opportunities before the break, but was unable to extend its lead further.

ALSO READ | Mumbai City, Bengaluru play out goalless draw

Chennaiyin attempted to respond after the restart and saw more of the ball in the early stages of the second half, but struggled to break down a disciplined Jamshedpur defence, with Albino Gomes producing another sharp save to deny Daniel Chima.

Jamshedpur struck again in the 58th minute to effectively seal the contest. Following a quick transition from a goal kick, Sanan found space behind the Chennaiyin defence, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted home his second of the night to make it 3-0.

Chennaiyin pulled one back in the 68th minute through Prakadeswaran S, who cut inside from the right and curled a fine effort into the top corner, offering the visitor a glimmer of hope.

However, Jamshedpur restored its three-goal cushion ten minutes later. A well-worked move involving Rosenberg Gabriel and Rei Tachikawa saw the ball worked across to Stojanović, who finished clinically from close range to make it 4-1.

Both sides continued to push forward in the closing stages, but neither could add to the scoreline as Jamshedpur comfortably saw out the match.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

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Deadspin | Mets’ Kodai Senga pushes to turn season around vs. Rockies <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28786591.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28786591.jpg" alt="MLB: Athletics at New York Mets" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 11, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga (34) at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>No player better symbolizes the topsy-turvy nature of the New York Mets than Kodai Senga.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>On Saturday afternoon against the visiting Colorado Rockies, the Mets will need the right-hander to snap his slump to ensure New York doesn’t risk falling into another tailspin.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Senga (0-3, 8.83 ERA) is slated to face his former teammate, Rockies left-hander Jose Quintana (0-2, 6.23), in the middle contest of a three-game series.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Michael Lorenzen tossed seven strong innings and Troy Johnston had what proved to be the decisive two-run single in the seventh in the Rockies’ 4-3 win on Friday.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The loss halted a modest two-game winning streak for the Mets, who snapped a 12-game skid with Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The early-season slide is just a continuation of the struggles the Mets endured over the final three-plus months of last season. New York had the best record in the majors at 45-24 through June 12 but missed the playoffs after stumbling to a 38-55 mark the rest of the way.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The Mets’ slump began last season on the day after Senga suffered a right hamstring injury covering first base. Senga, who was 7-3 with a 1.47 ERA in 13 starts when he was injured, missed only a month of action but went 0-3 with a 5.90 ERA in his final nine starts before ending the season with Triple-A Syracuse.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>Senga opened this season by allowing four runs over 11 2/3 innings in his first two starts, but he’s surrendered 14 runs (13 earned) over just 5 2/3 innings in his last two starts. That includes seven runs (six earned) in 3 1/3 innings in his most recent appearance, a 12-4 setback to the Chicago Cubs on April 17.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>Senga’s start was pushed back from Thursday so he could throw two side sessions.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>“This is a guy that’s very meticulous about his work and his mechanics and things like that,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday afternoon. “Just got to go out there and do it.”</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Lorenzen’s longest outing of the season helped the Rockies move into position to earn their third series win of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>When the Rockies finished 43-119 last season, they didn’t win their first series until a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins from June 1-3 — a trio of wins that improved them to 11-50. Colorado didn’t record its third series win until taking two of three games against the Minnesota Twins from July 18-29.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“Any time you are winning more games than last year, there is going to be better energy,” said Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer, who replaced Bud Black as skipper following Colorado’s 7-33 start. “They are playing well right now.”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Quintana, who pitched for the Mets from 2023-24, took the loss in his most recent start on Monday, when he gave up six runs (four earned) over five innings as the Rockies fell 12-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Senga is 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA in three career starts against the Rockies, while Quintana is 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA in five starts against New York.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Mets #Kodai #Senga #pushes #turn #season #Rockies

Three national junior records highlighted the second day of the National Junior (U-20) Athletics Federation Competition here on Saturday.

On a day when several athletes scaled new heights, Army’s Asian junior silver medallist Nitin Gupta set a new benchmark in the men’s U20 5,000m race walk.

Gupta became the first Indian race walker to break the 19-minute barrier in the junior men’s 5,000m race walk. On his way to gold, he clocked 18:54.37, lowering his own national junior record of 19:24.48 set last year in Patna.

His performance on Saturday was also better than the meet record at the Asian U-20 Athletics Championships.

Uttar Pradesh long jumper Shahnavaz Khan also entered his name in the record books, while Kerala’s talented sprinter Mohammed Ashfaq hogged the limelight by breaking the national junior record in the men’s 400m.

Ranjana Yadav of Madhya Pradesh also improved the national junior record in the women’s 5,000m race walk. Her gold-winning time was 23:22.12. The previous record of 23:43.58 had been set by Manisha last year in Bhubaneswar.

Away from the distance events, the men’s 400m was the most exciting track race on day two of the competition. Of the eight finalists, six crossed the finish line inside the Asian junior qualification mark of 47.53 seconds.

ALSO READ: IPL 2026 — Sooryavanshi scores hundred in 36 balls during RR vs SRH

But it was Kerala’s Ashfaq who grabbed the spotlight by breaking the national junior record. His winning time of 46.05 seconds was better than Amoj Jacob’s junior national record of 46.26 seconds set in 2017.

The field was strong in the women’s 400m. Seven of the eight finalists bettered the Asian junior qualification mark of 55.99 seconds. Neeru Pathak of NCOE Trivandrum won gold in 54.31 seconds.

Tamil Nadu pole vaulter Kavinraja S, who won gold, also improved his national mark to 5.12m. His previous junior national record was 5.11m.

At the end of the day, Shahnavaz produced a massive jump of 8.23m, improving the national junior record of 8.20m set by Murali Sreeshankar in 2018.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#national #junior #records #light #day #National #Junior #Athletics #Federation #Competition">Three national junior records light up day two of National Junior Athletics Federation Competition  Three national junior records highlighted the second day of the National Junior (U-20) Athletics Federation Competition here on Saturday.On a day when several athletes scaled new heights, Army’s Asian junior silver medallist Nitin Gupta set a new benchmark in the men’s U20 5,000m race walk.Gupta became the first Indian race walker to break the 19-minute barrier in the junior men’s 5,000m race walk. On his way to gold, he clocked 18:54.37, lowering his own national junior record of 19:24.48 set last year in Patna.His performance on Saturday was also better than the meet record at the Asian U-20 Athletics Championships.Uttar Pradesh long jumper Shahnavaz Khan also entered his name in the record books, while Kerala’s talented sprinter Mohammed Ashfaq hogged the limelight by breaking the national junior record in the men’s 400m.Ranjana Yadav of Madhya Pradesh also improved the national junior record in the women’s 5,000m race walk. Her gold-winning time was 23:22.12. The previous record of 23:43.58 had been set by Manisha last year in Bhubaneswar.Away from the distance events, the men’s 400m was the most exciting track race on day two of the competition. Of the eight finalists, six crossed the finish line inside the Asian junior qualification mark of 47.53 seconds.ALSO READ: IPL 2026 — Sooryavanshi scores hundred in 36 balls during RR vs SRHBut it was Kerala’s Ashfaq who grabbed the spotlight by breaking the national junior record. His winning time of 46.05 seconds was better than Amoj Jacob’s junior national record of 46.26 seconds set in 2017.The field was strong in the women’s 400m. Seven of the eight finalists bettered the Asian junior qualification mark of 55.99 seconds. Neeru Pathak of NCOE Trivandrum won gold in 54.31 seconds.Tamil Nadu pole vaulter Kavinraja S, who won gold, also improved his national mark to 5.12m. His previous junior national record was 5.11m.At the end of the day, Shahnavaz produced a massive jump of 8.23m, improving the national junior record of 8.20m set by Murali Sreeshankar in 2018.Published on Apr 25, 2026  #national #junior #records #light #day #National #Junior #Athletics #Federation #Competition

IPL 2026 — Sooryavanshi scores hundred in 36 balls during RR vs SRH

But it was Kerala’s Ashfaq who grabbed the spotlight by breaking the national junior record. His winning time of 46.05 seconds was better than Amoj Jacob’s junior national record of 46.26 seconds set in 2017.

The field was strong in the women’s 400m. Seven of the eight finalists bettered the Asian junior qualification mark of 55.99 seconds. Neeru Pathak of NCOE Trivandrum won gold in 54.31 seconds.

Tamil Nadu pole vaulter Kavinraja S, who won gold, also improved his national mark to 5.12m. His previous junior national record was 5.11m.

At the end of the day, Shahnavaz produced a massive jump of 8.23m, improving the national junior record of 8.20m set by Murali Sreeshankar in 2018.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#national #junior #records #light #day #National #Junior #Athletics #Federation #Competition">Three national junior records light up day two of National Junior Athletics Federation Competition

Three national junior records highlighted the second day of the National Junior (U-20) Athletics Federation Competition here on Saturday.

On a day when several athletes scaled new heights, Army’s Asian junior silver medallist Nitin Gupta set a new benchmark in the men’s U20 5,000m race walk.

Gupta became the first Indian race walker to break the 19-minute barrier in the junior men’s 5,000m race walk. On his way to gold, he clocked 18:54.37, lowering his own national junior record of 19:24.48 set last year in Patna.

His performance on Saturday was also better than the meet record at the Asian U-20 Athletics Championships.

Uttar Pradesh long jumper Shahnavaz Khan also entered his name in the record books, while Kerala’s talented sprinter Mohammed Ashfaq hogged the limelight by breaking the national junior record in the men’s 400m.

Ranjana Yadav of Madhya Pradesh also improved the national junior record in the women’s 5,000m race walk. Her gold-winning time was 23:22.12. The previous record of 23:43.58 had been set by Manisha last year in Bhubaneswar.

Away from the distance events, the men’s 400m was the most exciting track race on day two of the competition. Of the eight finalists, six crossed the finish line inside the Asian junior qualification mark of 47.53 seconds.

ALSO READ: IPL 2026 — Sooryavanshi scores hundred in 36 balls during RR vs SRH

But it was Kerala’s Ashfaq who grabbed the spotlight by breaking the national junior record. His winning time of 46.05 seconds was better than Amoj Jacob’s junior national record of 46.26 seconds set in 2017.

The field was strong in the women’s 400m. Seven of the eight finalists bettered the Asian junior qualification mark of 55.99 seconds. Neeru Pathak of NCOE Trivandrum won gold in 54.31 seconds.

Tamil Nadu pole vaulter Kavinraja S, who won gold, also improved his national mark to 5.12m. His previous junior national record was 5.11m.

At the end of the day, Shahnavaz produced a massive jump of 8.23m, improving the national junior record of 8.20m set by Murali Sreeshankar in 2018.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#national #junior #records #light #day #National #Junior #Athletics #Federation #Competition
Deadspin | Raptors ‘expect the unexpected’ from Cavaliers in Game 4  Apr 23, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) celebrates as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) tries to walk away during the second half of game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images   The Toronto Raptors understand they must be ready for anything Sunday afternoon when they attempt to even their Eastern Conference first-round series with the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.  The Cavaliers hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after the Raptors’ 126-104 home victory in Game 3 on Thursday.   “Every game in this series so far, it was different,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. “So every game we’ve got to expect the unexpected. We’ve got to be ready for it. We’ve got to have some counters and some ideas how we want to react in those moments. And most importantly, we’ve got to stay together throughout the whole 48 minutes.”  The Raptors ran away from the Cavaliers with a 43-23 margin in the fourth quarter. The surge was ignited by reserve Jamison Battle, who scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter by going 5-for-5 from the floor — including 4-for-4 from 3-point range.    The Cavaliers sat through this movie before. Battle sank all seven of his shots from the floor — including six from 3-point range — during his 20-point performance in Toronto’s 112-101 victory on Oct. 31 at Cleveland.  “This is not the first time to see Jamison Battle perform this way,” Rajakovic said. “Ultimate professional, always keeping himself ready, puts an enormous amount of work in every single day.”   “He’s a shooter,” said Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, who was held to 15 points Thursday after scoring 62 in the first two games.   “He gets open, and once you see one go in, it goes from there, right? So credit to him, credit to them. But, you know, we’ve got to be better, and we’ll fix it.”  While Mitchell and James Harden (18 points) encountered some trouble, the Raptors received 33 points each from Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, both career playoff bests. Reserve Collin Murray-Boyles added 22 points, which set the team’s postseason record for a rookie.   Jamal Shead had five of Toronto’s 11 steals that contributed to Cleveland’s 22 turnovers leading to 23 points.   Harden committed eight turnovers in Game 3.  “For me, I’ve got to be better,” Harden said. “I think all of us. Just turning the basketball over, giving them just easy points off transition opportunities. The first two games we did a good job. Give them credit, like they had a different game plan and were causing turnovers.”  “We didn’t do the dirty work that’s necessary to win on the road,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson.  The Raptors played with more energy in Game 3, yet the Cavaliers trailed by only two points entering the fourth quarter.  “The force was just way on their side, their ability to kind of be the more aggressive team,” Atkinson said. “Just kind of that simple.  “We’ll clean up the tactical things in terms of doing the dirty work, stuff we talked about.  “You know, the defense has got to be better, you know, in the fourth quarter, we started missing coverages, got backdoored, lost our focus. …we could not get a stop, then Battle came in and really gave them a boost. So this is the playoffs. This is what it’s like.”  The Raptors said on Friday that Immanuel Quickley has been ruled out for the rest of the series. Toronto’s starting point guard missed the first three games of the series, and the team said he re-injured his right hamstring during his rehabilitation.   –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Raptors #expect #unexpected #Cavaliers #GameApr 23, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) celebrates as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) tries to walk away during the second half of game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Toronto Raptors understand they must be ready for anything Sunday afternoon when they attempt to even their Eastern Conference first-round series with the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after the Raptors’ 126-104 home victory in Game 3 on Thursday.

“Every game in this series so far, it was different,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. “So every game we’ve got to expect the unexpected. We’ve got to be ready for it. We’ve got to have some counters and some ideas how we want to react in those moments. And most importantly, we’ve got to stay together throughout the whole 48 minutes.”

The Raptors ran away from the Cavaliers with a 43-23 margin in the fourth quarter. The surge was ignited by reserve Jamison Battle, who scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter by going 5-for-5 from the floor — including 4-for-4 from 3-point range.

The Cavaliers sat through this movie before. Battle sank all seven of his shots from the floor — including six from 3-point range — during his 20-point performance in Toronto’s 112-101 victory on Oct. 31 at Cleveland.

“This is not the first time to see Jamison Battle perform this way,” Rajakovic said. “Ultimate professional, always keeping himself ready, puts an enormous amount of work in every single day.”

“He’s a shooter,” said Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, who was held to 15 points Thursday after scoring 62 in the first two games.

“He gets open, and once you see one go in, it goes from there, right? So credit to him, credit to them. But, you know, we’ve got to be better, and we’ll fix it.”

While Mitchell and James Harden (18 points) encountered some trouble, the Raptors received 33 points each from Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, both career playoff bests. Reserve Collin Murray-Boyles added 22 points, which set the team’s postseason record for a rookie.


Jamal Shead had five of Toronto’s 11 steals that contributed to Cleveland’s 22 turnovers leading to 23 points.

Harden committed eight turnovers in Game 3.

“For me, I’ve got to be better,” Harden said. “I think all of us. Just turning the basketball over, giving them just easy points off transition opportunities. The first two games we did a good job. Give them credit, like they had a different game plan and were causing turnovers.”

“We didn’t do the dirty work that’s necessary to win on the road,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson.

The Raptors played with more energy in Game 3, yet the Cavaliers trailed by only two points entering the fourth quarter.

“The force was just way on their side, their ability to kind of be the more aggressive team,” Atkinson said. “Just kind of that simple.

“We’ll clean up the tactical things in terms of doing the dirty work, stuff we talked about.

“You know, the defense has got to be better, you know, in the fourth quarter, we started missing coverages, got backdoored, lost our focus. …we could not get a stop, then Battle came in and really gave them a boost. So this is the playoffs. This is what it’s like.”

The Raptors said on Friday that Immanuel Quickley has been ruled out for the rest of the series. Toronto’s starting point guard missed the first three games of the series, and the team said he re-injured his right hamstring during his rehabilitation.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Raptors #expect #unexpected #Cavaliers #Game">Deadspin | Raptors ‘expect the unexpected’ from Cavaliers in Game 4  Apr 23, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) celebrates as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) tries to walk away during the second half of game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images   The Toronto Raptors understand they must be ready for anything Sunday afternoon when they attempt to even their Eastern Conference first-round series with the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.  The Cavaliers hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after the Raptors’ 126-104 home victory in Game 3 on Thursday.   “Every game in this series so far, it was different,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. “So every game we’ve got to expect the unexpected. We’ve got to be ready for it. We’ve got to have some counters and some ideas how we want to react in those moments. And most importantly, we’ve got to stay together throughout the whole 48 minutes.”  The Raptors ran away from the Cavaliers with a 43-23 margin in the fourth quarter. The surge was ignited by reserve Jamison Battle, who scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter by going 5-for-5 from the floor — including 4-for-4 from 3-point range.    The Cavaliers sat through this movie before. Battle sank all seven of his shots from the floor — including six from 3-point range — during his 20-point performance in Toronto’s 112-101 victory on Oct. 31 at Cleveland.  “This is not the first time to see Jamison Battle perform this way,” Rajakovic said. “Ultimate professional, always keeping himself ready, puts an enormous amount of work in every single day.”   “He’s a shooter,” said Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, who was held to 15 points Thursday after scoring 62 in the first two games.   “He gets open, and once you see one go in, it goes from there, right? So credit to him, credit to them. But, you know, we’ve got to be better, and we’ll fix it.”  While Mitchell and James Harden (18 points) encountered some trouble, the Raptors received 33 points each from Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, both career playoff bests. Reserve Collin Murray-Boyles added 22 points, which set the team’s postseason record for a rookie.   Jamal Shead had five of Toronto’s 11 steals that contributed to Cleveland’s 22 turnovers leading to 23 points.   Harden committed eight turnovers in Game 3.  “For me, I’ve got to be better,” Harden said. “I think all of us. Just turning the basketball over, giving them just easy points off transition opportunities. The first two games we did a good job. Give them credit, like they had a different game plan and were causing turnovers.”  “We didn’t do the dirty work that’s necessary to win on the road,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson.  The Raptors played with more energy in Game 3, yet the Cavaliers trailed by only two points entering the fourth quarter.  “The force was just way on their side, their ability to kind of be the more aggressive team,” Atkinson said. “Just kind of that simple.  “We’ll clean up the tactical things in terms of doing the dirty work, stuff we talked about.  “You know, the defense has got to be better, you know, in the fourth quarter, we started missing coverages, got backdoored, lost our focus. …we could not get a stop, then Battle came in and really gave them a boost. So this is the playoffs. This is what it’s like.”  The Raptors said on Friday that Immanuel Quickley has been ruled out for the rest of the series. Toronto’s starting point guard missed the first three games of the series, and the team said he re-injured his right hamstring during his rehabilitation.   –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Raptors #expect #unexpected #Cavaliers #Game

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