Cavaliers Deemed a ‘Trendy Pick' Ahead of Raptors Series

The 2026 NBA playoffs are just around the corner, and it always makes for an exciting time in the NBA.

Now, the Cleveland Cavaliers are stepping into their series with the Toronto Raptors like they have something to prove, and that’s not a bad thing.

The Cavaliers are becoming one of the most feared teams in the NBA. They’re the favorites heading into the Raptors series, if they stay healthy.

So, let’s get to the predictions. In a Thursday, April 16 piece for the Arizona Public, Jeremy Cluff dubs the Cavs a win, but not an easy one, over the Raptors. He has them taking the series, but with seven games.

“The Cavaliers are a trendy pick to win the Eastern Conference and for good reason,” he states. “James Harden has brought an extra dynamic to Cleveland. We think Toronto can make this a great series, however.”

Over at CBS Sports, James Herbert has the Cavs going far, with their only point of contention being themselves in the form of injuries.

“The Cavs-over-Pistons pick is more about the Cavs than the Pistons,” he says, assuming they beat Toronto. “If Cleveland can finally stay healthy, this team has an extremely high ceiling. (OK, fine, it’s a little bit about Detroit’s spacing, too.)”

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He adds, “I have Boston beating the Cavs in the conference finals, though, because I trust the Celtics’ defensive infrastructure more.”

It’s easy to see why the Cavaliers are favorites against the Raptors and even to go further in the playoffs. They’ve built up a strong team and have the pieces to go far. But, looking at the top teams in the NBA this year, there is very little difference in their abilities. All of the top contenders are strong, so don’t expect any blowouts.

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In the end, a lot of it may come down to which team just happens to have a better game on any given day or night. The best thing the Cavs can do is focus on staying in the moment and trying to have the best day or night for every game.

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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 5:03 PM.