Cavs Open 2025 Playoff With Win Over Philly

The Petersburg Cavaliers started the playoffs with a win doing so decisively. A strong defensive effort shut down the paint as the offense racked up 115 points on the night. The Cavs lost to the Philly Raiders the last time these two teams faced each other in the Palace of Opponents Tears. On May 17, 2025, the Cavaliers faced a undermanned Philly Raiders and after winning 3 previous games, the Cavs fell short in that contest and what made it worse, it was a buzzer beater! NOT THIS TIME! The Philly Raiders showed up with their full roster to include their 3 potential ECBL league all-stars in Shaq Shannon (6'1''-G, college: Quinnipiac), Shafeek Taylor and Mike Cuffee. The Raiders also brought their dominant big Devin Moore to match inside with the Cavs height. They finished the first quarter with a 31-18 lead which ultimately won the game due to the Raiders winning every subsequent quarter. The second quarter the Raiders made some on the spot adjustments to finish that quarter 34-30 over the Cavs bringing the half time score to 61-52. The 3rd Quarter was filled with intensity as both teams were battling it out knowing what was on the line. Philly won the quarter 29-26 and it seems like what Coach Keith Walker game plan was executed to perfection. 87- 78 was the score as the teams went into the fourth down. The 4th Quarter the Raider also outscored the Cavs 29-28, the Cavs had 6 players with double digits. Elijah Moore (6'8''-F-1995, college: Virginia St.) led all scorers with 30 points, Walter Williams (6'5''-F-1997, college: Virginia St.) had 25, Keshuan Morgan (6'2''-G) had 13, Raemaad Wright (6'7''-F, college: Virginia Union) had 13 with 20 rebounds, Jordan Crump (6'3''-G, college: VWU) had 12 and Deshaun Morman (6'4''-F-1994, college: Towson) had 12. The Raiders had 4 players with double digits Mike Cuffee with 26, Shaq Shannon with 25, Shafeek Taylor with 22, and Tyreek Riddick-Hughes (6'2''-G) with 15. The Cavaliers will move on to the conference championship vs the defending champions DC Heat at Cuthbertson Middle School, North Carolina.
Courtesy of: ECBL