CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 20: Jarrett Allen #31 celebrates with Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers before Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena on April 20, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Cleveland Cavaliers have been in complete control of their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors so far.
They’ve cruised to stress-free wins in the first two games of this series, but anything can happen when the series shifts to a different venue.“The series hasn’t even started yet until you go on the road,” Max Strus said after practice on Wednesday. “So we got to come in with an aggressive mindset, just like we treated games one and two, and play our best basketball.”We’ll see what adjustments either team makes for Game 3. The Raptors decided to bench normal starting center Jakob Poeltl for the entirety of the second half of Game 2, opting to go small with the 6’7” Collin Murray-Boyles at center.
At this point, it’d be surprising if they went back to Poeltl.No matter who the Raptors decide to go with at center, the Cavs hope to get the version of Evan Mobley they did through the first two games of this series. He put up 25 points and eight assists in the win on Monday.“He’s in a great, great, spot,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said on Wednesday. “Physically, this is probably the best I’ve seen him move in two years, just moving really well, and then just confidence…he’s kind of in a flow state right now, which equals super [aggressiveness].
I’m watching him go to the offensive board. It’s another level than it was in the regular season. He’s definitely turned it up.” Support us and Let ‘Em Know with Homage!Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword.
You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (2-0) at Toronto Raptors (0-2)Where: Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ONWhen: Thur., April 23 at 8 PMTV: Prime VideoPoint spread: Cavs -3Cavs injury report: Thomas Bryant – QUESTIONABLE (calf)Raptors injury report: Immanuel Quickley – QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett AllenRaptors expected starting lineup: Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-BoylesPrevious matchup: The Cavs secured a 2-0 lead with a 10-point victory.Here’s a look at both teams’ regular-season impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.Offensive RatingDefensive RatingNet RatingCavs118.9 (8th)115 (15th)+3.9 (9th)Raptors116.8 (13th)113.2 (7th)+3.6 (11th)