The Toronto Raptors are set to open their best-of-seven first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. This marks their return to the NBA postseason for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
Despite sweeping the regular-season series against Cleveland, the Raptors face a significantly different Cavaliers team. Cleveland acquired Hall of Famer James Harden on February 4th, reshaping their offense.
The Raptors and Cavaliers have a history in the playoffs, with Cleveland holding a dominant 12-2 record in their previous three series, including victories in 2016, 2017, and 2018 led by LeBron James.
Toronto's roster, though dealing with injuries, managed to avoid the play-in tournament, securing a direct playoff spot. This rest period is crucial for players like Brandon Ingram, who emphasized the importance of recovery before the series begins.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic is notable as the first European coach to lead an NBA team for an entire season and reach the playoffs. He credits the success of coaches and players from his region for paving the way.
For the playoffs, the Raptors will reinstate their popular fan event, "Jurassic Park," in Maple Leaf Square for both home and away games, featuring entertainment and activations.