The Toronto Raptors have faced the Clevland Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs many times. The Raptors almost always lose the series to the Cavaliers, even if they put up a good fight. Times have changed. Or have they? In previous years, the Raptors have almost never finished with a better record than the Cavs, but this year, the Raptors have been the number one team in the East for quite some time, also being the first team in the East to clinch a playoff spot. If they met in the playoffs, would the Raptors be able to win, or will they fall apart under pressure?
Home records
The Toronto Raptors, as of April 4, 2018, have an outstanding home record of 31-7 while the Cavs have a slightly worse, but still impressive home record of 27-11. Since the Raptors will have home court advantage in the 2018 NBA Playoffs throughout, if it comes down to the last game at the Air Canada Centre, home record-wise, the Raptors have a higher chance of winning.
Team records
With 4 games left in the season for both teams, Toronto holds an overall record of 56-22, while Cleveland has a record of 48-30. The Raptors have a much better record over the Cavaliers -- with 8 more wins. Therefore, record-wise, the Raptors outplay the Cavs.
Scoring
On average, the Raptors score 112 Points Per Game, and give up 104.2 points per game, meaning they win by an average of 7.8 points every game.
On the other hand, the Cavaliers average 110.5 points every game and give up 109.6 points, on average, winning by 0.9 points every game. Not only does Toronto average more points every game compared to Cleveland, but they also hold their opponents to fewer points every game. So, Toronto wins in this category.
Although overall stats show how well a team is doing, they don’t show how well a team does against another team specifically.
Raptors vs. Cavs
Against Cleveland this year, the Raptors have a record of 1-2, with an all-time playoff record of 2-8. We can see that going head to head against the Raptors, Cleveland is a better team.
As we can see, although the Toronto Raptors have been a better team overall in the 2017-2018 NBA season they have struggled against the Cleveland Cavaliers, especially in the playoffs.
Many think that the Raptors have a good chance of beating Cleveland this year, but, due to Cleveland's winning ways in the playoffs, some fans think that the Raptors will disappoint in the playoffs again, but there is only one way to find out: wait and see.
