The initial round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs presents a significant challenge for analysts. With eight series happening simultaneously, it’s tough to dive deep into every matchup. So, focusing on the most crucial ones becomes essential.
Initially, the Cleveland Cavaliers seemed confident after taking a 2-0 lead against the Toronto Raptors. They figured they just needed to clinch two out of their last five games. After all, Toronto had struggled against top teams throughout the season, holding a dismal 7-22 record against such opponents. Plus, their key player, Immanuel Quickley, was sidelined for the rest of the series.
However, now the series stands at 1-2, with the Raptors turning everything around against the Cavaliers. As the Cavs head back home for Game 5, they might be favored by 8.5 points, but there’s a sense that this series still has many developments ahead.
The key adjustments that saved the Raptors’ season
After being outplayed in two games by the pick-and-roll plays from James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, the Raptors decided to step up their defense, reminding everyone that they had one of the best defensive records in the regular season.
In the first game, the Raptors had pretty standard matchups: RJ Barrett on Harden, Jamal Shehed on Mitchell, Dean Wade on Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes on Evan Mobley, and Jacob Poeltl on Jarrett Allen. By the time Game 4 rolled around, some matchups had changed, with Barnes taking Harden, Jacoby Walter filling in for Shehed against Mitchell, Ingram against Wade, Poeltl against Mobley, and Barrett on Allen.
This shift left Allen out of the pick-and-roll actions, which made it easier for the Raptors to manage potential threats. If Harden or Mitchell attempted to initiate this play, the Raptors had the option to switch seamlessly. Barrett, Barnes, and Walter possess the physicality and agility needed to handle a variety of players.
For Harden and Mitchell to target Poeltl—the weak defensive link for Toronto’s starting lineup—they’d have to engage Mobley as a screener. It may not seem significant, but the film shows that Mitchell struggled to gain separation with Mobley on screen.
The Raptors also excelled at clearing driving lanes, limiting passing opportunities, and improving their help defense to contest the Cavaliers’ sharpshooters effectively (Cleveland shot just 25 percent from three-point range during Game 4).
Cleveland certainly has what it takes to stage a comeback. They have home-court advantage, a strong finisher, and plenty of room for improvement—after all, they had 18 turnovers in Game 4. Still, credit should go to Toronto for transforming what could have been a swift sweep into an engaging battle.
