Cavs vs Raptors Playoff Matchup Predictions

Who will win the first-round NBA playoff series between the 4th-seeded Cavaliers and 5th-seeded Raptors?

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:32am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic action on the court.The first-round playoff clash between the Cavaliers and Raptors promises to be a hard-fought, high-stakes battle between two Eastern Conference powerhouses.Cleveland Today

The NBA playoffs have arrived, and the 4th-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers will face off against the 5th-seeded Toronto Raptors in a best-of-seven first-round series. Game 1 is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Why it matters

This matchup features two perennial Eastern Conference powerhouses looking to make a deep playoff run. The winner will advance to the second round and face a tougher opponent, while the loser's season will come to an end.

The details

The Cavaliers and Raptors have met in the playoffs several times over the past decade, with the series usually being highly competitive. Both teams have star-studded rosters and will be looking to gain an early advantage in this series.

  • Game 1 is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Cleveland Cavaliers

The 4th-seeded team in the Eastern Conference playoffs, led by All-Star forward LeBron James.

Toronto Raptors

The 5th-seeded team in the Eastern Conference playoffs, featuring a talented roster including All-Star guard Kyle Lowry.

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What they’re saying

“This is going to be a tough series, but we're ready for the challenge. Our guys have been working hard all season and we're confident we can come out on top.”

— LeBron James, Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers

“We know the Cavaliers are a formidable opponent, but we've had success against them in the past. If we play our game and execute our game plan, I like our chances of advancing.”

— Kyle Lowry, Guard, Toronto Raptors

What’s next

The winner of this series will advance to face the winner of the Bucks vs. Heat first-round matchup in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The takeaway

This first-round playoff series between the Cavaliers and Raptors features two of the Eastern Conference's top teams and should be a highly competitive and entertaining matchup for basketball fans.