The Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. This matchup features two teams that finished fourth and fifth in the East, respectively, setting up a compelling opening series in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
The Cavaliers enter the playoffs with a 52-30 record, securing home-court advantage as the fourth seed. They posted a 33-19 record against Eastern Conference opponents during the regular season and rank seventh in the conference in rebounding, averaging 44.4 boards per game. Evan Mobley leads Cleveland in rebounding with 9.0 per contest.
Toronto finished the regular season at 46-36, earning the fifth seed. The Raptors went 3-0 against Cleveland during the regular season, including a 110-99 victory on November 25, 2025, where Brandon Ingram scored 37 points. Against teams above .500, Toronto holds a 21-27 record.
Offensively, both teams shoot at nearly identical rates. The Cavaliers shot 48.2% from the field this season, which is 1.5 percentage points higher than the 46.7% the Raptors allow to opponents. Conversely, the Raptors shot 48.2% from the field, 1.8% higher than the 46.4% Cavaliers opponents have shot this season.
Key performers for Cleveland include Donovan Mitchell, averaging 27.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. James Harden has contributed 15.3 points and 5.9 assists over his last 10 games. For Toronto, Scottie Barnes averages 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks. Ja’Kobe Walter has made 2.6 three-pointers per game over his last 10 appearances.
In their last 10 games, the Cavaliers went 7-3, averaging 121.8 points, 45.0 rebounds, 29.1 assists, 7.6 steals, and 3.9 blocks while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents averaged 119.0 points per game during that stretch.
The game will be televised nationally, with tip-off scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EDT (17:00 UTC). The Cavaliers are favored by 8.5 points, and the over/under is set at 219.5 points.
This opening matchup presents an compelling contrast: Toronto’s perfect regular-season record against Cleveland versus Cleveland’s home-court advantage and higher seed. The winner gains early momentum in a best-of-seven series, with Game 2 scheduled for April 20, 2026, too in Cleveland.
For continued coverage of the Cavaliers-Raptors playoff series and all 2026 NBA Playoffs action, visit Archysport.com for updates, analysis, and highlights throughout the postseason.
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