The Toronto Raptors (0-1) take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (1-0) at Air Canada Centre in game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The game can be seen on ESPN at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 3, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 212.5 points with Toronto set as a 6.5-point favorite.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors Betting Prediction
James put up 26 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in game one, in which the Cavaliers, who were 7-point underdogs, beat the Raptors 113-112. The game finished with a total of 225 points, which was 12 points above the projected point total of 213 points. The Cavaliers’ turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Raptors. Cleveland had a rate of 4.3, while Toronto posted a mark of 11.1.
Toronto could have their way on the offensive side of the ball as their prolific offense squares off against one of the NBA’s worst defenses. The Raptors currently rank third in offensive efficiency, while Cleveland ranks 29th in defensive efficiency.
Cleveland has a respectable 55-35 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 34-54-2 against the spread (ATS). There does not appear to be a trend for games featuring the Cavaliers in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Toronto is 63-26 SU and 48-41 ATS. Unlike Cleveland, just over half of Raptors games have finished over the projected point total.
The Cavaliers are 13-8 ATS with 11 unders, nine overs and one push in the playoffs, while the Raptors are 7-13 with 12 unders and eight overs
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Cleveland is 21-23-1 ATS with 24 overs and 21 unders.
Toronto is 25-20 ATS at home with 23 overs and 22 unders.
In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Toronto is 30-5 and Cleveland is 18-5.
When reaching 100 points, the Cavaliers are 52-18 and the Raptors are 57-17.
Toronto ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (24.9) while Cleveland ranks 28th (31.3).
The Raptors rank second in blocks per game (6.1) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (3.8).
Toronto ranks sixth in assists per game (24.2) while Cleveland ranks 28th in assists allowed per game (25.5).
The Raptors rank sixth in points in the paint per game (48.7) while the Cavaliers rank 21st in points allowed in the paint per game (47.1).
Toronto ranks 11th in second chance points per game (12.9) while Cleveland ranks 26th (11.0).
The Raptors rank 16th in rebounds per game (43.8) while the Cavaliers rank 25th (41.9).
Toronto averages 13.4 fast break points per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. Cleveland ranks 14th in fast break points allowed per game (11.7).
The Raptors rank 20th in steals per game (7.6) while the Cavaliers rank 25th (7.0).
Toronto ranks 11th in points off turnovers per game (17.0) while Cleveland ranks 16th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Cleveland is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Toronto is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Cavaliers have been outscored by an average of 4.4 points in their last five games. For the season, Cleveland has defeated opponents by an average of 0.4 points.
During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 104.6 points per game (6.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.2 points per game (2.0 above their season average).
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