Cleveland's side
Higher seed, home floor, first chance to reset the matchup.
How the series is actually set up before Game 1.
This is the 4-vs-5 matchup in the Eastern Conference first round. Cleveland opens at home as the No. 4 seed. Toronto arrives as the No. 5 seed after locking its place on the final day of the regular season.
The seed line
The seed line matters because it explains the floor order. Cleveland hosts Game 1 at Rocket Arena. Toronto has to prove immediately that the regular-season edge can survive a playoff opener on the road.
Why Game 1 matters more than the 3-0 record
The season sweep is the first thing people notice, but Game 1 is where the series gets rewritten. A strong Cleveland opener can turn the regular-season record into old information very quickly. A poised Toronto road performance can make the 3-0 edge feel predictive again.
The useful bracket read
Toronto's side
Lower seed, recent clinch momentum, and the cleaner head-to-head record.
Why it is interesting
The bracket gives Cleveland the better frame. The season series gives Toronto the better memory.