The 2026 NBA Playoffs tip off on Saturday, April 18, and feature a highly anticipated first-round showdown between the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As we head into the weekend slate of NBA playoff games, Kalshi traders are already weighing in. Here’s what the market is indicating:
Kalshi is a top prediction market platform that allows users to forecast outcomes in sports, politics, entertainment, and other topics.
NBA Playoffs Prediction: Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers
The (5) Toronto Raptors will travel to Cleveland to battle against the (4) Cleveland Cavaliers in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs.
In the 2025-2026 NBA Regular Season, the Raptors won every matchup against the Cavaliers.
- Most Recent Matchup (Nov 24, 2025): Raptors defeated the Cavaliers 110-99.
- Nov 13, 2025: Raptors defeated the Cavaliers 126-113.
- Oct 31, 2025: Raptors defeated the Cavaliers 112-101.
However, during the NBA Playoffs in 2016, 2017, and 2018, the Cavaliers emerged victorious. Will 2026 bring a different result, or will Cleveland’s dominance persist?
Despite the close seeding — with the Raptors at No. 5 and the Cavaliers at No. 4 — many Kalshi traders give Cleveland a significantly higher chance of winning the series.
What Traders are Predicting on Kalshi
If you create a new Kalshi account, you can Trade $10, Get $10!
Interested in what traders expect for the Cavaliers vs Raptors matchup? Here’s how each team’s chances of winning stack up:
- Cleveland Cavaliers – 82%
- Toronto Raptors – 20%
These percentages will change based on what people decide to trade on.
Should the Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA Playoffs First Round series against Toronto, the market will resolve to Yes.
