2026 NBA Playoffs - East First Round - #4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #5 Toronto Raptors (Series tied 2-2)

[JustLucky]

Cavs in 5... but I do think these could be close games throughout.

Cavs lead 14-2 vs Toronto in playoffs, 3-0 series wins

you know that doesn't actually matter since they have zero of the same players or coaches on either team right? I dont think they even have the same owners

[Clav]

Cavs in 5... but I do think these could be close games throughout.

Cavs lead 14-2 vs Toronto in playoffs, 3-0 series wins

you know that doesn't actually matter since they have zero of the same players or coaches on either team right? I dont think they even have the same owners

It's just a series historical stat, easy tiger. I'll did it for each match-up

[ReggiesKnicks]

Cavs in 5

[LegendOfSalmons]

You don't watch enough Cavs/Raptors games apparently.

16/7/3 are his stats this season. One game he made 14p and on the other night he made 7p. With one breakout game with 28p. Now gtfoh.

So in other words you were wrong. Got it.

Sorry but in what world is 16/7/3 considered "feasting"?

[Iwasawitness]

16/7/3 are his stats this season. One game he made 14p and on the other night he made 7p. With one breakout game with 28p. Now gtfoh.

So in other words you were wrong. Got it.

Sorry but in what world is 16/7/3 considered "feasting"?

You just said he never feasted on the Raptors, then proceeded to name a game where he did.

You do know what the word "never" means, right?

[LegendOfSalmons]

So in other words you were wrong. Got it.

Sorry but in what world is 16/7/3 considered "feasting"?

You just said he never feasted on the Raptors, then proceeded to name a game where he did.

You do know what the word "never" means, right?

You seem very confused. That was a different poster you were having the exchange with. That being said, 16/7/3 in the overall landscape is not feasting. If you're going to be picky and look into semantics then sure you'd be right, but otherwise no he has not feasted. Simple as that.

[lethalizer]

Damn, I missed having Raptors in the postseason.

Just based on their huge population over here, following their playoff threads are incredibly fun.

Welcome back, my Canadian brethren!

[Iwasawitness]

Sorry but in what world is 16/7/3 considered "feasting"?

You just said he never feasted on the Raptors, then proceeded to name a game where he did.

You do know what the word "never" means, right?

You seem very confused. That was a different poster you were having the exchange with. That being said, 16/7/3 in the overall landscape is not feasting. If you're going to be picky and look into semantics then sure you'd be right, but otherwise no he has not feasted. Simple as that.

Ah, you're right. That was in fact a different poster. But again, that was my point. He said he never has, that simply isn't the case. Mobley has definitely had some very good performances against the Raptors. But in general? No.

[whitehops]

i'm not sure why but i feel like this is one of those series where on paper it looks like it should be sweep or a 5-game series but i think the raps will be more competitive than that.

[Drakeem]

You just said he never feasted on the Raptors, then proceeded to name a game where he did.

You do know what the word "never" means, right?

You seem very confused. That was a different poster you were having the exchange with. That being said, 16/7/3 in the overall landscape is not feasting. If you're going to be picky and look into semantics then sure you'd be right, but otherwise no he has not feasted. Simple as that.

Ah, you're right. That was in fact a different poster. But again, that was my point. He said he never has, that simply isn't the case. Mobley has definitely had some very good performances against the Raptors. But in general? No.

And to be honest, you have to let a little hyperbole go in a sports discussion. Sure, there's outlier games, but all in all Mobley doesn't really rise to the occasion against the Raps for whatever reason.

Can't be super literal with everything especially online.

[JujitsuFlip]

i'm not sure why but i feel like this is one of those series where on paper it looks like it should be sweep or a 5-game series but i think the raps will be more competitive than that.

I mean, you're probably right. The Cavs still don't even know who their 5th starter is and the playoffs start in 4 days lol

Raps starting 5 have played 354 minutes together. The Cavs most used 5 man unit (89 minutes) includes Garland and Hunter who are no longer on the team; it also has Tyson who just missed 3 weeks with a foot injury.

This series very much is about team chemistry vs a collection of dudes with lots of years of service.

[toooskies]

Cavs in 5... but I do think these could be close games throughout.

Cavs lead 14-2 vs Toronto in playoffs, 3-0 series wins

you know that doesn't actually matter since they have zero of the same players or coaches on either team right? I dont think they even have the same owners

Technically incorrect! in 2017-18, Larry Nance Jr was a Cav and Jakob Poeltl was a Raptor.

[canada_dry]

I don't know if I'd go that far. Toronto is one of those teams you want to play big against.

One of the only Cavs weakness is their ability to defend the 3. Raptors rank near the bottom as a team.
Cavs are one of the best at that in the league.
Raptors ability to score in the paint, Allen or no Allen, will not be enough to offset that difference.

Raptors is the best matchup Cavs could have hoped for in the first round.

The charmin bros are getting bodied in the paint all series long, come to terms with it now.

Nobody fears Allen and Mobley down low.

Lol charmin bros

[PhilBlackson]

i'm not sure why but i feel like this is one of those series where on paper it looks like it should be sweep or a 5-game series but i think the raps will be more competitive than that.

My God do I ever hope you're right

I just think that most (ofc we have more than our fair share of homers due to RealGM population) Raptors' fans realize our team has obvious limitations. We don't have a top 15 player in the league (which is really absolute bare minimum to be even a "quasi-contender") & obvious flaws offensively, namely 3pt shooting & a true go-to scorer to match Mitchell in the big moments...so it's really all just about being competitive. How do we continue to somehow raise our ceiling to become a true contender moving forward is where I severely, severely struggle with as a Raptor fan (I'm sure we make some incremental ones with our draft pick & a likely trade of RJ next season but again I question what he returns would really be enough to put us in real contention) but that's a different discussion.

But yeah I just don't want them to clown themselves out of the Playoffs, just be really competitive each game....even if it goes 5 but the games were close & hard fought, that's fine by me. I really do like a number of our players so I want them to have showings they can be proud of looking back, just don't get dogwalked so everyone can end the season with a level of optimism for the future.

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Out of the top 4 I think the Raps have the least amount of their weaknesses exposed vs the Cavs.

Cavs have been a bottom 12 defensive team since getting Harden in Feb and the Raptors have been top 10 all season regardless of players in and out of the lineups. The Raptors have a poor offense but the Cavs bad defense might help Toronto; especially in transition where we all know Harden isn’t getting back on defense and the Raptors are a top transition team.

The Cavs front court also hasn’t been able to dominate the Raptors lack of big depth which has been comically exposed by the Knicks in damn near every matchup with Towns in.

I think the best Raptors lineup will be JKW/RJ/BI/SB and CMB.

Switch everything with SB starting on Harden and CMB on Allen. JKW has done well this year against Mitchell and RJ chases whoever is at 3. BI on Mobley.

Switch the Harden PnRs and prevent lobs. Help on Mitchell drives but let him go for 50 every game on jumpers if he wants. If Cavs want to post up Mobley on BI or Allen on CMB that’s a win for Toronto.

If the Cavs aren’t hot from 3 I can see them dropping games this series unless Harden and Mitchell put up a masterclass. Toronto also has to play excellent switch defense to make this competitive. Cavs have the Cale edge having the 2 best players in the matchup, but I don’t see the Cavs winning with ease if both guards arent having good games

[RB34]

You seem very confused. That was a different poster you were having the exchange with. That being said, 16/7/3 in the overall landscape is not feasting. If you're going to be picky and look into semantics then sure you'd be right, but otherwise no he has not feasted. Simple as that.

Ah, you're right. That was in fact a different poster. But again, that was my point. He said he never has, that simply isn't the case. Mobley has definitely had some very good performances against the Raptors. But in general? No.

And to be honest, you have to let a little hyperbole go in a sports discussion. Sure, there's outlier games, but all in all Mobley doesn't really rise to the occasion against the Raps for whatever reason.

Can't be super literal with everything especially online.

Does Mobley rise to occasion against anyone?

[JujitsuFlip]

Cavs have been a bottom 12 defensive team since getting Harden in Feb and the Raptors have been top 10 all season regardless of players in and out of the lineups. The Raptors have a poor offense but the Cavs bad defense might help Toronto; especially in transition where we all know Harden isn’t getting back on defense and the Raptors are a top transition team.

The Cavs front court also hasn’t been able to dominate the Raptors lack of big depth which has been comically exposed by the Knicks in damn near every matchup with Towns in.

...JKW has done well this year against Mitchell.

This post just lacks any and all context, huh?

Cavs have been 18th in Drtg since Feb 7th, that is a fact. Of those 30 games, Allen missed 14.5 of them. Mobley missed 7 of them. And if you care, which I'm sure you don't, Wade missed 14 of them too.

Maybe, just maybe, Raptors will be seeing a little bit different defense from the Cavs, if those 3 are "healthy" and starting together.

Again, Allen has played exactly 20 minutes and 54 seconds against the Raptors this season. How are we speaking in absolutes, when the Cavs haven't had their size? So maybe, just maybe, Raptors will be seeing a different look than they have on film from the Cavs offense if the twin towers are "healthy" and playing together.

To your final point, Mitchell may get different looks and coverages by sharing a back court with James Harden instead of Lonzo Ball or Craig Porter jr.

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Cavs have been a bottom 12 defensive team since getting Harden in Feb and the Raptors have been top 10 all season regardless of players in and out of the lineups. The Raptors have a poor offense but the Cavs bad defense might help Toronto; especially in transition where we all know Harden isn’t getting back on defense and the Raptors are a top transition team.

The Cavs front court also hasn’t been able to dominate the Raptors lack of big depth which has been comically exposed by the Knicks in damn near every matchup with Towns in.

...JKW has done well this year against Mitchell.

This post just lacks any and all context, huh?

Cavs have been 18th in Drtg since Feb 7th, that is a fact. Of those 30 games, Allen missed 14.5 of them. Mobley missed 7 of them. And if you care, which I'm sure you don't, Wade missed 14 of them too.

Maybe, just maybe, Raptors will be seeing a little bit different defense from the Cavs, if those 3 are "healthy" and starting together.

Again, Allen has played exactly 20 minutes and 54 seconds against the Raptors this season. How are we speaking in absolutes, when the Cavs haven't had their size? So maybe, just maybe, Raptors will be seeing a different look than they have on film from the Cavs offense if the twin towers are "healthy" and playing together.

To your final point, Mitchell may get different looks and coverages by sharing a back court with James Harden instead of Lonzo Ball or Craig Porter jr.

We can have a discussion without the passive aggressiveness oozing from your post. I'm open to being wrong about stuff, all this " if you care, which I'm sure you don't" nonsense

From my time watching the Allen/Mobley front court neither of them have been physically imposing in the interior if they have a body on them; Mobley specifically where we saw that in the matchups vs the Raptors this season.

The Raptors have been injured as well to key players and their DRTG has not slipped below top 10. CMB has played 15/28 games since Feb 7. IQ missed 9 games since Feb 7 (technically the last 3 games he played few minutes because of his present injury). JP had been gone for 1/3 of the season and only came back to play the last 25 games.

Both teams have suffered from injuries to vital players. Most lineups with Harden are below 80th% in defensive rating outside of the one Harden/Mitch/Wade/Mobley/Allen lineup that played 33 minutes total together as per Bball-index. I'm not sure if that lineup would be a juggernaut if given more minutes.

I actually anticipate Mitchell being more off ball with Harden so I don't know how Ball/Porter Jr would be relevant. They hindered spacing but the offense will be different. He was playing more on ball earlier in the season when Garland was out. Doesn't change the content of my post or my final summary stating that a Mitchell/Harden offensive masterclass would be what does the Raptors in. I'm not convinced the Cavs are a top defensive team (like the Knicks have been) and the Cavs front court can't easily take advantage of the lack of size from the Raptors because Mobley/Allen are not dominant low post players

[JujitsuFlip]

Cavs have been a bottom 12 defensive team since getting Harden in Feb and the Raptors have been top 10 all season regardless of players in and out of the lineups. The Raptors have a poor offense but the Cavs bad defense might help Toronto; especially in transition where we all know Harden isn’t getting back on defense and the Raptors are a top transition team.

The Cavs front court also hasn’t been able to dominate the Raptors lack of big depth which has been comically exposed by the Knicks in damn near every matchup with Towns in.

...JKW has done well this year against Mitchell.

This post just lacks any and all context, huh?

Cavs have been 18th in Drtg since Feb 7th, that is a fact. Of those 30 games, Allen missed 14.5 of them. Mobley missed 7 of them. And if you care, which I'm sure you don't, Wade missed 14 of them too.

Maybe, just maybe, Raptors will be seeing a little bit different defense from the Cavs, if those 3 are "healthy" and starting together.

Again, Allen has played exactly 20 minutes and 54 seconds against the Raptors this season. How are we speaking in absolutes, when the Cavs haven't had their size? So maybe, just maybe, Raptors will be seeing a different look than they have on film from the Cavs offense if the twin towers are "healthy" and playing together.

To your final point, Mitchell may get different looks and coverages by sharing a back court with James Harden instead of Lonzo Ball or Craig Porter jr.

We can have a discussion without the passive aggressiveness oozing from your post. I'm open to being wrong about stuff, all this " if you care, which I'm sure you don't" nonsense

From my time watching the Allen/Mobley front court neither of them have been physically imposing in the interior if they have a body on them; Mobley specifically where we saw that in the matchups vs the Raptors this season.

The Raptors have been injured as well to key players and their DRTG has not slipped below top 10. CMB has played 15/28 games since Feb 7. IQ missed 9 games since Feb 7 (technically the last 3 games he played few minutes because of his present injury). JP had been gone for 1/3 of the season and only came back to play the last 25 games.

Both teams have suffered from injuries to vital players. Most lineups with Harden are below 80th% in defensive rating outside of the one Harden/Mitch/Wade/Mobley/Allen lineup that played 33 minutes total together as per Bball-index. I'm not sure if that lineup would be a juggernaut if given more minutes.

I actually anticipate Mitchell being more off ball with Harden so I don't know how Ball/Porter Jr would be relevant. They hindered spacing but the offense will be different. He was playing more on ball earlier in the season when Garland was out. Doesn't change the content of my post or my final summary stating that a Mitchell/Harden offensive masterclass would be what does the Raptors in. I'm not convinced the Cavs are a top defensive team (like the Knicks have been) and the Cavs front court can't easily take advantage of the lack of size from the Raptors because Mobley/Allen are not dominant low post players

Mobley sans Allen though... This context has to matter, based on the 3 game sample you watched, 5 months ago.

That Cavs 5 man unit you mention is like 90% sure going to be who the Cavs start for this series.

Well, i hope the Cavs don't throw it into the post to 2 dudes without any post moves. Their damage is the big to big passing or rolling after a screen with Harden as the ball handler. Maybe a couple weakside cuts. You're far more likely to see Harden post-up in this series than those guys.

[duppyy]

Im saying raps in 4 just to keep the tradition alive.