The Toronto Raptors grabbed the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference on the last day of the regular season and will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
It has been a significant improvement for Toronto, which finished 11th in the East last season and is making its first postseason appearance since 2022. Cleveland, meanwhile, has a worse record than it did last season, when it finished as the top seed in the East.
Let’s take a look at predictions, head-to-head records, schedule and more for the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs featuring the Cavaliers and Raptors.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Prediction | 2026 NBA Playoffs
The Raptors’ 3-0 record against the Cavaliers in the regular season has made fans hopeful for the outcome of this first-round series. The teams last met on Nov. 24, as the Raptors won 110-99, led by a 37-point performance from Brandon Ingram.
It is worth noting that Toronto has yet to face the Cavs since the team traded for James Harden at the deadline. Furthermore, the Raptors’ record against the top teams in either conference presents a challenge, with the team going 5-22 against the West’s top-six and the East’s top-four teams this season.
It is also worth considering that the Cavaliers have significantly more playoff experience than Toronto’s relatively young team, for whom many will get their first taste of the playoffs this series.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Head-to-Head
The Cavaliers have the advantage in their regular-season rivalry against the Raptors, with 60 wins in 114 games. But the 2025-26 season has been a different story altogether, with Toronto winning all three of its games against Cleveland.
Historically, the Cavaliers have dominated the Raptors in the playoffs, holding a 12-2 record against them.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Schedule and Where to Watch | 2026 NBA Playoffs
Here is the schedule for the first-round series featuring the Raptors and the Cavaliers:
- Raptors @ Cavaliers | Saturday, April 18, 1 p.m. ET on Prime Video
- Raptors @ Cavaliers | TBD
- Cavaliers @ Raptors | TBD
- Cavaliers @ Raptors | TBD
- Raptors @ Cavaliers | TBD
- Cavaliers @ Raptors | TBD
- Raptors @ Cavaliers | TBD
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Betting Odds | 2026 NBA Playoffs
Moneyline: Raptors (+230) vs. Cavaliers (-285)
Spread: Raptors (+7.5) vs. Cavaliers (-7.5)
Total (O/U): Raptors (o219.5) -105 vs. Cavaliers (u219.5) -115
Note: Odds are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change closer to tipoff.
Read More: NBA’s 5 Most Disappointing Teams Of 2025-26 Season
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