We have a enjoyable Sunday as there are 4 NBA video games tipping off in the present day. From 1 p.m. ET till all of us lay our heads down to sleep, we are going to have hoops accessible for us to watch. Not the regular-season rubbish, we are getting playoff basketball, the better of basketball. It begins with motion between the Cavs and Raptors, who are in a seven-game set with Cleveland up 2-1.
Toronto Raptors ahead Scottie Barnes drives on Cleveland Cavaliers huge Evan Mobley throughout the first spherical of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. (David Dermer-Imagn Images)
Cleveland had an honest yr, profitable 52 video games, however the Cavs lastly tweaked the staff that turned in success from the previous two years. They traded away Darius Garland and turned him into James Harden. This staff additionally has Dennis Schroder coming off the bench as a substitute of Lonzo Ball. I don’t see a lot depth outdoors of him on the courtroom. As the playoffs get deeper, the benches don’t matter fairly as a lot.
The Cavs are sturdy at 4 of the 5 beginning positions. They regarded nice in the first two video games of the playoffs. In the first two video games, the Cavaliers gained each of them over the Raptors by at the least 10 factors. In Game 3, Cleveland was blitzed by the Raptors and misplaced by 22. The points have been each a poor capturing evening from Cleveland and a extremely good one from Toronto. It additionally didn’t assist that the Cavs had 22 turnovers.
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Toronto was a shock staff this yr. Most anticipated them to battle for a Play-In spot and doubtless battle to even get that. However, issues clicked for the staff, and so they turned in a 46-36 report. They have been actually good behind a mixture of cast-offs and a extremely good drafted participant, Scottie Barnes. Those gamers from different groups, Immanuel Quickley, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl (although he was drafted by the Raptors, went to the Spurs, and got here back), have made this staff aggressive.
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden discuss throughout Game 2 in the first spherical of the 2026 NBA Playoffs vs. the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Ohio. (David Dermer/Imagn Images)
In the first two video games, they didn’t actually look prepared for the postseason. However, the staff regarded nice in Game 3. This was a little bit of a coming-out occasion for them, but it surely may’ve additionally simply been an anomaly. They shot 57% from the subject and 61% from three. I simply don’t see that taking place once more. One space they struggled with was from the free-throw line. They nonetheless have been behind in rebounds, which is one thing they are probably to battle with this complete collection. Barrett and Barnes each put in 33 factors for the staff. Barnes was notably nice, including 11 assists and 5 rebounds.
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Cleveland Cavaliers’ James Harden defends Toronto Raptors ahead Brandon Ingram in Game 2 in the Eastern Conference First Round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Ohio. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
You can’t rely on the Raptors to shoot that properly once more. I gained’t say the Cavs are going to shoot all that a lot better, however I do anticipate some enchancment from them. The residence courtroom benefit continues to be on the facet of Toronto, however after profitable a recreation, the Cavs ought to lock in for this one. I feel the finest motion is to take the Cavs -3.5.
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