NBA playoffs Game 4 preview: Why the Cavs are favored to bounce back against Toronto after ugly loss
We have a enjoyable Sunday as there are 4 NBA video games tipping off right this moment. From 1 pm 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 Raptorswho are in a seven-game set with Cleveland up 2-1.
Toronto Raptors ahead Scottie Barnes drives on Cleveland Cavaliers massive Evan Mobley throughout the first spherical of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. (David Dermer-Imagn Images)
Cleveland had a good yr, successful 52 video games, however the Cavs lastly tweaked the staff that became 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 an alternative of Lonzo Ball. I do not see a lot depth outdoors of him on the court docket. As the playoffs get deeper, the benches do not matter fairly as a lot.
The Cavs are robust at 4 of the 5 beginning positions. They appeared nice in the first two video games of the playoffs. In the first two video games, the Cavaliers received each of them over the Raptors by at the very least 10 factors. In Game 3, Cleveland was blitzed by the Raptors and misplaced by 22. The points had been each a poor taking pictures evening from Cleveland and a extremely good one from Toronto. It additionally did not 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 possibly battle to even get that. However, issues clicked for the staff, they usually turned in a 46-36 document. They had been actually good behind a mix 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 (though 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 speak 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 did not actually look prepared for the postseason. However, the staff appeared nice in Game 3. This was a little bit of a coming-out occasion for them, nevertheless it may’ve additionally simply been an anomaly. They shot 57% from the discipline and 61% from three. I simply do not see that taking place once more. One space they struggled with was from the free-throw line. They had been nonetheless behind in rebounds, which is one thing they are possible to battle with this whole 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 cannot rely on the Raptors to shoot that effectively once more. I will not say the Cavs are going to shoot all that a lot better, however I do anticipate some enchancment from them. The dwelling court docket benefit continues to be on the Toronto aspect, however after successful a sport, the Cavs ought to lock in for this one. I believe the finest motion is to take the Cavs -3.5.
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