Toronto at Cleveland

The Cavaliers showed why they are the leader in NBA payroll when they steamrolled the Raptors, 126-113, in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at home this past Saturday. Cleveland has the stars. Toronto doesn't. But it wasn't just Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley combining for 71 points. Unheralded Max Strus came off the bench to score 24 points for Cleveland. Strus had missed the first 67 games because of a broken left foot. He proved to be the Cavaliers' secret weapon. The Cavaliers shut down the Raptors' fast break. Cleveland's playoff experience is also a factor. This is the first time Toronto has been in the postseason in four years. Toronto has now lost five straight road games to postseason teams, going 0-5 ATS in those games, losing by double digits each time. Take the Cavaliers.