The Cleveland Cavaliers looked on course for a damaging collapse against the Toronto Raptors after racing into a 2-0 series lead. By half-time, the Raptors had taken control, exposing Cleveland’s defensive lapses.

Game 5 may have been step in right direction, and an ugly victory beats a devastating postseason loss, but Cavs still missing a mean streak.

Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (46-36, fifth in the Eastern Conference) Toronto; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT LINE: Cavaliers -4.5; over/under is 219.5 EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Cavaliers lead series 3-2 BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers look to clinch the series over the Toronto Raptors in game six of the Eastern Conference first round.

The Cleveland Cavaliers held their ground at home Wednesday, defeating the Toronto Raptors 125-120 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in their surprising first-round series.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, and the Toronto Raptors the No. 5 seed, face off in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The series is a best-of-seven, with the Cavaliers hosting Game 1, Game 2, Game 5 (if necessary ...

With Game 6 in Toronto looming, former Raptors champ Danny Green highlights a major concern for Cleveland.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell is being monitored by other teams as a trade target if the Cavs get eliminated.