Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction and Betting Tips - April 24, 2026
The NBA playoffs are gaining momentum as the first round of play-in games continues. On April 24, the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers are set to play their third game. Here’s my prediction for the upcoming matchup.
Toronto Raptors
At the end of the regular season, the Raptors finished fifth in their conference, with a two-win gap over the ninth place, and managed to surpass Atlanta due to tiebreakers. They have yet to win away against the Cavaliers, so now they’ll need to try to succeed in front of their home crowd.
The roster includes players capable of taking the initiative, so not all hope is lost. Ingram underperformed in the first games, scoring only 12 points per game, and expectations are clearly higher for such a talented player. The team is dealing with two personnel losses ahead of this matchup.
Cleveland Cavaliers
A lot has been expected from the Cavaliers in recent seasons; at times, the team looks very strong, though there have been disappointments as well. Team leader Donovan Mitchell has performed well, averaging 31 points over two playoff games. Star newcomer Harden, the "bearded one," has made a significant contribution to the team's victories, averaging 25 points in two games against Toronto.
The starting lineup looks strong, but the "bench" is not impressive; any injury could become a real disaster. Cleveland is expected to have a strong season.
Head-to-Head
After two games, Cleveland leads the series 2-0, having fully capitalized on their home-court advantage. The hosts won the first game 126-113, and the second 115-105.
Match Prediction
On paper, the visitors are slight favorites, though Toronto clearly has better chances at home. Cleveland won’t have an easy time closing out the series, even if they currently enjoy a comfortable lead. I believe the third game could turn into an interesting battle: a third Cavaliers win would almost end the intrigue, while a Raptors victory would keep them in the fight. My pick here is total over 216.5 points.
