The No. 4 seed Cavaliers meet the No. 5 seed Raptors in the Eastern Conference first-round, with the series opening Saturday in Cleveland. While sportsbooks make Cleveland the favorites, Harden stressed that Toronto cannot be underestimated.
Speaking to reporters, Harden acknowledged the Raptors’ strengths, noting Toronto has been strong all year and is often overlooked by the league. He singled out star Scottie Barnes and other capable contributors, saying the Cavaliers know what they’re up against.
Toronto finished the season with 46 wins after entering the year projected to win fewer, marking a notable overachievement and a strong playoff push for a club that exceeded preseason expectations.
Harden joined the Cavaliers at the trade deadline, parting ways with the Clippers in a deal that sent Darius Garland and a second-round pick the opposite direction. In 26 games with Cleveland, he’s averaged about 20.5 points per game on solid shooting, adapting to a different role for a veteran wing in a contending lineup.
Despite a storied 17-year career, Harden has yet to win an NBA championship, a pursuit that continues with Cleveland this season after his move from Los Angeles. His presence adds veteran experience to a Cavaliers squad aiming to capitalize on a favorable matchup in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Cavaliers-Raptors series kicks off this weekend in Cleveland, with both teams eager to prove themselves in a tightly contested first-round matchup.
