Summary
The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs starting April 18. An ESPN analyst predicts the Cavaliers will win the series in five games, although the regular season results favored the Raptors.
Key Facts
- The Cavaliers are the No. 4 seed and the Raptors are the No. 5 seed in the 2026 NBA playoffs.
- The playoff series begins Saturday, April 18, at Rocket Arena and will be shown live on Prime Video.
- ESPN analyst Zach Kram predicts Cleveland will win the series in five games.
- Toronto won all three regular-season games against Cleveland, but those games were before James Harden joined the Cavaliers.
- Cleveland struggled with 3-point shooting against Toronto in the regular season but has a better overall 3-point shooting percentage.
- Toronto is ranked 26th in made 3-point shots this season, which may limit their advantage against Cleveland’s defense.
- The analyst thinks Toronto will not repeat their regular-season success in the playoffs.
- The article notes playoff games are challenging and suggests the series may be tougher than predicted, possibly lasting all seven games.
