Playing at home, Toronto led for most of the night, by as many as 15 points, before the Cavaliers powered back in the fourth quarter to set up an intense finish.
Leading by two points with less than a minute remaining, Toronto handed Cleveland a final lifeline with a shot-clock violation.
Evan Mobley forced his way through the Raptors’ defense to tie up the game 104-104, and Toronto’s Jamal Shead just missed a return shot at the end of regulation.
In overtime, Cleveland nudged in front with a Donovan Mitchell driving layup, and led by two points until the game’s final seconds.
But RJ Barrett’s three-pointer jump shot bounced off the heel of the rim, looped up in the air, and dropped through the net to seal the Toronto win.
“Glory be to God, man. I didn’t make anything in the fourth quarter, overtime, I was playing bad… thank God I was able to make that shot,” said Barrett.
Game seven will be played in Cleveland on Sunday.
