Jimmy Watkins: “For the last two games, Wade has made the biggest “diff” on either team. And he doesn’t need the ball to do it.”

Big-time players recognize big-time impact — Dean Wade delivered. Video: Paris McGee Jr, Clevelanddotcom

The fourth-seeded Cavs continued their playoff dominance against the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors, 115-105, in Game 2 of the first-round series. Cleveland leads 2-0 as the best-of-seven shifts to Toronto.

The Cavs keep the momentum rolling, taking a 2-0 series lead over the Raptors with a 115-105 win Monday night at Rocket Arena. Picture: John Kuntz, Cleveland.com 

Who better to hype up Cleveland than Browns legend Bernie Kosar? Kosar fired up the crowd with the honorary sword pull ahead of Game 2 vs. the Raptors. ⚔️🔥 Video: Paris McGee Jr, Cleveland.com

Browns QB Deshaun Watson is in the building for Game 2 in The Land. 🔥 Video: Paris McGee Jr, Clevelanddotcom

Let us know in the comments, Cleveland! Picture: Joshua Gunter, Clevelanddotcom

Locked in for Game 2. How many does James Harden drop tonight, Cleveland? 👀 Video: Paris McGee Jr, Clevelanddotcom

The stage is set. Game 2 in The Land. 🔥 Can the Cavs build on the momentum? Picture: Paris McGee Jr, Clevelanddotcom

Cleveland has been waiting for this version of Mobley to arrive. The player who doesn’t shy away from the moment. The maturity that comes with blocking out the outside noise. And the play that follows, knowing he can swing a series on both ends. https://l.cleveland.com/gclllr

Another playoff game, another different streaming service needed tonight! Cavs-Raptors Game 2 is on Peacock tonight at 7 p.m., but you can use this Walmart+ workaround to snag a free trial to watch Cleveland try to defend The Land: https://l.cleveland.com/2wevgp

Statement made in Game 1. Can the Cavs keep it rolling in Game 2? Drop your predictions, Cleveland. Picture: John Kuntz, Cleveland.com

Terry Pluto: “It’s only one game. Playoff series can swing quickly. But the Cavs delivered a performance that showed they are ready for this challenge.”

Spida isn’t chasing history — but when he plays his game and sets the tone, it just comes with it. Video: Paris McGee Jr, Clevelanddotcom

Game 2 won’t get any easier. Donovan Mitchell says the Cavs have to be ready for anything vs. the Raptors. Video: Paris McGee Jr, Clevelanddotcom

Jimmy Watkins: "Players like Harden and Mitchell need more help from their supporting pieces. And Strus proved (again) during Game 1 that he’s ready when they need him."

Donovan Mitchell is a Game 1 wizard, extending his NBA playoff record with his 9th straight 30+ point Game 1. He finished with 32 in the win over Toronto on Saturday. Picture: AP

Ethan Sands: "The Cavs found a gear the Raptors couldn’t match late. That’s the kind of start that shapes a series and, at least, can carry confidence into Game 2."

Chris Fedor: "On Saturday, they looked capable of competing for the throne. Talent. Depth. Balance. Belief. Experience. Health."

Game 1 belongs to the Cavs. Cleveland made a statement in their playoff opener, rolling past Toronto 126-113 to take the early series lead. Picture: John Kuntz, Cleveland.com

Myles Garrett is in the house for Game 1, getting the Cavs crowd pumped up! Video: Paris McGee Jr, Clevelanddotcom

Guardians legend Rajai Davis is back in The Land! 🔥 Pulling the sword and hyping up Cleveland ahead of Cavs Game 1 vs. the Raptors. Video: Paris McGee Jr, Cleveland.com

Your Cavs are in the building, Cleveland! 🔥 Time to defend The Land. Game 1 vs. Raptors. Video: Paris McGee Jr, Clevelanddotcom

How long will this Cavs vs. Raptors Round 1 series go — Game 5, Game 6, sweep? 👀 Drop your prediction below. Picture: Joshua Gunter, Cleveland.com

It starts today! Round 1. Game 1. Cleveland vs. Toronto. Time to Let ‘Em Know. 🏀 Pictures: John Kuntz, Cleveland.com

The Wine and Gold Talk podcast confronts the brutal reality facing Jarrett Allen — an injured big man carrying a tough-guy narrative into the most important series of his Cavaliers career.

“This is what we live for,” said Cavs head coack Kenny Atkinson. “This is the most exciting part of the year. Do I feel pressure? Yes. But I want to feel that pressure of being at the elite level.”

Allen says he can “play at a high level,” but admits his knee pain isn’t going away anytime soon. Something to watch as Cleveland opens the playoffs vs. Toronto.

🔗: https://l.cleveland.com/938yqh If Jones pleads guilty, he will become the first of some 30 people charged in the two cases that include accusations of placing illegal bets with insider information and luring deep-pocketed gamblers to high-stakes card games rigged by Mafia associates.

OPINION: "If Harden can’t slip through this crack, then it might be sealed forever. He might never fit the title he so craves. He might be forced to confront a contender’s mortality. Could he retire without a ring?" writes columnist Jimmy Watkins.

Fans without an Amazon Prime subscription will be unable to watch the Cavaliers’ postseason opener at Rocket Arena or Game 3 in Toronto.

Pluto: "The Cavs big men can punish Toronto inside. But they need Harden to give them the ball at the right time."

The Cavs play their first two games at Rocket Arena before heading Up North. Cleveland owns a 12-2 all-time playoff record against Toronto, but in the postseason, no team should be taken lightly. More: https://l.cleveland.com/turlcl

Can Cleveland push past last year and reach the Eastern Conference Finals? Picture: John Kuntz, Cleveland.com 

Fourth-seeded Cleveland (52-30) will open Saturday’s four-game playoff slate against the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors (46-36). Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. on Amazon Prime.

🔗: l.cleveland.com/yhgnl9     Kenny Atkinson says the Cavs’ first-round matchup vs the Raptors is “no picnic,” but this post-trade deadline Cavs team is different. Video: Paris McGee Jr, Cleveland.com

James Harden 🤝 Cavs’ playoff confidence Video: Paris McGee Jr, Clevelanddotcom

The Cavs’ regular-season finale wasn’t just about closing — it was a playoff evaluation. Who earned a spot in the rotation tonight, Cleveland? Video: Paris McGee Jr, Clevelanddotcom

The Cavs capped the 2025-26 regular season with a 130-117 win against the hapless Washington Wizards on Sunday evening inside Rocket Arena.

Heading into the playoffs, the Cavs close the regular season with a 130–117 win over Washington Sunday at Rocket Arena. Picture: John Kuntz, cleveland.com 

The Cavs have officially locked up the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference ahead of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Their first-round opponent is still unknown.

Donovan Mitchell gathered the Cavs after another win and delivered a clear message to the locker room: the regular season is over in spirit. Now it’s about execution, belief, and proving it in the playoffs.

🔗: https://l.cleveland.com/iugz54  Cleveland will be without Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill and Thomas Bryant for Friday night’s rematch between the Cavs and Hawks.

Friday night’s rematch between the Cavs and Hawks will look much different.

Cavs depth is being tested as the playoffs near. Kenny Atkinson has two big lineup questions. Dean Wade might just be the key to both.

Terry Pluto is calling out teams that are intentionally losing games to improve their draft lottery odds, creating lopsided contests that undermine the value fans receive for their money.

After early-season struggles, Evan Mobley is averaging 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds over his last 19 games, shooting better than 60% from the field.

It’s the Cavs’ sixth win in the last seven games. They are now a half game (plus a head-to-head tiebreaker) behind the New York Knicks for third place in the East.

Cavs get it done, 122–116 over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night at Rocket Arena. Picture: John Kuntz, Cleveland.com

🔗: https://l.cleveland.com/cc3q8u  Jimmy Watkins: "Rest a few players. Lose twice to the Hawks. Arrange a friendlier path through the east. Then play the winning basketball Mitchell is known for." Photo: John Kuntz, cleveland.com