NBA Playoffs 2026 · Thursday, April 23, 2026 · 8:10 PM EST · Scotiabank Arena, Toronto · NBC / Peacock
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers back to the hardwood on a high stakes Game 3 tonight in Toronto, with the Cavalries leading the series 2-0. Raptors are in a do or die situation history has set up, almost no team has ever come out of an 0-3 hole, so this game may be the most important game in Toronto. The Raptors have to have a solution soon or their playoff will not last long, with the home audience at Scotiabank Arena cheering them on.
Game 3 Series Recap: Cavaliers Firmly in Control
In the Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers series, Cleveland has looked like the superior team across both games. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden would combine to score a crippling 58 points in Game 2 as the Cavaliers defeated opponents 115-105. Both teams shot efficiently from the field – over 50% – but struggled from deep, with each side shooting below 35% from three-point range.
For Toronto, Scottie Barnes delivered 26 points and Brandon Ingram added 22, but the Raptors’ other three starters managed just 12 combined points – a glaring problem that the head coach will need to solve tonight. The only team in the East that has not lost a playoff game in 2026 is Cleveland, which is a credit to how focused the Cavaliers have been during these playoffs.
Expected Lineups & Injury Report
The biggest question mark prior to the Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 3 is the health of Immanuel Quickley, who is on questionable list due to hamstring injury. Failure by Quickley to do so would leave the depth of the Toronto backcourt and play making in a visible blow at the worst opportune moment.
Toronto’s expected starters: Immanuel Quickley (questionable), Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl. Cleveland enters with a clean bill of health – James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen are all set to go.
Key Trends, Odds & Best Bets
Odds via DraftKings: Cleveland -155 moneyline, Toronto +130, spread Cavaliers -3.5, and a game total of 219.5. Cleveland opened as a 5.5-point favourite, but the line has tightened ahead of tipoff – a sign of sharp money on the Raptors to cover at home.
When analysing the Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers matchup by the numbers, Cleveland is one of the NBA’s worst ATS teams at 35-49, and just 17-24 on the road. Toronto, meanwhile, ranks tied for third-best in the league on the Under at 51-33, and is 23-18 to the Under specifically as a home team. Rotoworld’s model is leaning toward the Raptors on the moneyline, Raptors +3.5 ATS, and the game total going Under 219.5.
Prediction
In the Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 3, expect a much tighter contest. Toronto’s back is against the wall, which tends to elevate performances from battle-tested players like Barnes and Ingram. The crowd at Scotiabank Arena will be electric, and home-court advantage in a must-win game should not be underestimated. Cleveland is the better team on paper, but the Raptors have the pieces to cover and potentially steal a game tonight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 3 tip off?
Game 3 tips off at 8:10 PM EST on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. It airs on NBC and Peacock.
Who is injured for the Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 3?
Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Toronto. Cleveland has no players on the injury report.
What are the betting odds for Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 3?
Cleveland is favoured at -155 moneyline with a -3.5 spread. Toronto is the underdog at +130. The game total sits at 219.5, with models leaning toward the Under.
Can the Raptors come back from 0-2 down against the Cavaliers?
It is historically very difficult. Teams that go down 0-3 in a playoff series almost never recover, making tonight’s Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 3 essentially a must-win for Toronto to keep their season alive.
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