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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors Free Preview 10/17/18

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers start their seasons at Scotiabank Arena. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.

The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 214 points with Toronto opening as an 11-point favorite.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors ATS Prediction

This will be a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinal which Cleveland won in four games. The Cavaliers would go on to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in four games. Toronto clinched the top seed (59-23) while Cleveland was the four seed (50-32).

The productive offense of Toronto will clash against the porous defense of Cleveland. In the 2017-18 season, the Raptors ranked third in offensive efficiency, while the Cavaliers were 29th in defensive efficiency. The Raptors should have the advantage on that end of the court.

The Cavaliers were 50-32 straight up (SU) and 45-50-5 against the spread (ATS) last season. Of Cleveland’s 100 games that accepted bets last season, 60 finished over the projected point total.

Meanwhile, the Raptors owned records of 59-23 SU and 48-42-2 ATS last season. A little over half of Toronto’s games also finished over the projected point total.

The Cavaliers won six out of seven games against the Raptors last season. In the most recent matchup, Cleveland won 128-93. Cleveland was lights out from beyond the arc (12-26; 46.2 percent). Toronto, meanwhile, did a great job of converting from the free throw line (17-23; 73.9 percent).

Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors Odds Pick

NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Over

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Notes

Betting Notes (2017-Present):

When holding opponents below 100 points, Toronto is 30-5 and Cleveland is 22-6.

The Cavaliers are 58-21 when they reach 100 points, while the Raptors are 57-19.

Toronto ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (24.9) while Cleveland ranks 28th (31.2).

The Raptors rank second in blocks per game (6.1) while the Cavaliers rank 26th (3.9).

Toronto ranks sixth in assists per game (24.1) while Cleveland ranks 27th in assists allowed per game (25.1).

The Raptors rank sixth in points in the paint per game (48.8) while the Cavaliers rank 20th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.8).

Toronto ranks fourth in rebounds allowed per game (42.1) while Cleveland ranks 14th (42.9).

The Raptors rank 21st in steals per game (7.4) while the Cavaliers rank 26th (6.9).

Toronto ranks 12th in points off turnovers per game (16.7) while Cleveland ranks 15th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.9).

The Raptors rank 11th in second chance points per game (12.9) while the Cavaliers rank 14th in second chance points allowed per game (12.7).

Toronto ranks 10th in fast break points per game (13.2) while Cleveland ranks 13th in fast break points allowed per game (11.6).

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Written by GMS Previews

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