Who has the edge in Cavaliers vs Raptors? Staff picks, odds for NBA playoff series
Ellen J. HorrowThe 2026 NBA playoffs begin with a No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup in the Eastern Conference as the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Toronto Raptors to open their best-of-7 first-round series.
The Cavaliers are hoping to wash the bitter taste of last year’s playoffs from their mouths after Cleveland entered the 2025 playoffs as the best team in the East only to get bounced early by the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals. The Raptors, meanwhile, are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2022, when they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
This year, the Cavaliers enter as the favorites again – at least in this series. No. 4 Cleveland (52-30) won six more games than No. 5 Toronto (46-36) in the 2025-26 season. The Cavs also made a big move at the trade deadline, picking up 11-time All-Star James Harden in a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. Cleveland now boasts one of the best backcourts in the NBA as Harden (20.5 ppg, 7.7 apg, 4.8 rpg) teams up with seven-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell (27.9 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3.8 rpg).
The Raptors counter with the forward duo of Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes – both All-Stars this season. Ingram averaged 21 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists in the regular season, while Barnes recorded 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists.
Here are USA TODAY staff predictions, betting odds and how to watch Game 1 of the series:
Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions
- Lorenzo Reyes: Cavaliers in seven games
- Scooby Axson: Cavaliers in six
- Mark Giannotto: Cavaliers in six
- Jon Hoefling: Cavaliers in six
- James H. Williams: Cavaliers in six
- Marcus Smith: Cavaliers in six
Raptors vs. Cavaliers odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM:
- Series winner: Cavaliers -550; Raptors +400
- Over 5.5 games: -110
- Under 5.5 games: -110
Raptors vs. Cavaliers: How to watch Game 1
- Date: Saturday, April 18
- Location: Rocket Arena (Cleveland)
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV: None
- Streaming: Prime Video
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