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The Cleveland Cavaliers head north of the border to take on the Toronto Raptors in a big Eastern Conference matchup to determine playoff seeding. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Cavaliers-Raptors prediction and pick.
The Cavs are coming off a 131-120 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers. Darius Garland scored 29 points on 10 for 23 shooting to lead the Cavs. He also had 17 assists and went 7 for 7 from the free-throw line. Additionally, Lauri Markkanen added 18 points on 6 for 12 shooting. He also hit 4 for 10 from the 3-point line. Similarly, Lamar Stevens scored 16 points on 8 for 12 shooting. Despite great offense, the defense faltered as the Lakers shot 56.4 percent against Cleveland. LeBron James torched his old team with 38 points on 17 for 29 shooting. It also did not help the Cavs that aside from Siakam and VanVleet, the rest of the starters managed 25 points. The Cavs also lost the turnover battle 12-8. Cleveland is 5-5 over its last 10 games as they look to push toward the playoffs.
The Raptors are coming off a 113-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Pascal Siakam scored 22 points on 8 for 14 shooting to lead the Raptors. In addition, Fred VanVleet scored 19 points on 7 for 22 shooting and nine assists. Similarly, Chris Boucher added 19 points on 8 for 14 shooting and 10 rebounds. The Raptors shot 44 percent from the field, as they were could not hit their shots in stride. Toronto also allowed 24 free-throw attempts, 14 of which the Bulls would convert, and would be the difference in the game. The Raptors are 6-4 over the last 10 games and have struggled at home this season, going 17-16.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Cavaliers-Raptors odds:
NBA Odds: Cavaliers-Raptors Odds
Cavaliers: +4.5 (-110)
Raptors: -4.5 (-110)
Over: 215.5 (-110)
Under: 215.5 (-110)
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Why The Cavaliers Could Cover The Spread
Cleveland has won all three games against Toronto this season. Two of the games have been by ten or fewer points, while the December 26 battle was a blowout home victory. In the last game, the Cavs won 104-06 behind a trio of scorers. Markkanen scored 22 points on 8 for 18 shooting, while grabbing 12 rebounds. Evan Mobley chipped in, scoring 20 points on 9 for 15 shooting, and 17 rebounds. Garland scored 17 points on 5 for 12 shooting, converting all his free-throw attempts, going 6 for 6 from the charity line.
The Cavs were able to excel off the bench. Kevin Love scored 15 points on 4 for 8 shooting while grabbing nine rebounds. Cedi Osman added 17 points on 7 for 16 shooting. The defense was the difference as the Cavs held the Raptors to 39.4 percent shooting from the field and limited Toronto to 25 percent from the triples. The Cavs dominated the rebound battle, winning 58-45, despite losing top rebounder Jarrett Allen to a fractured finger.
Allen leads the team in rebounding, averaging 10.8 per game. Mobley and Markkanen have picked up the slack in his absence, but Cleveland still has weapons on both ends. Garland averages 21.4 points per game, leading the team. Cleveland has Mobley and Markkanen chipping in and has helped Cleveland overcome the Allen injury. The Cavs were able to handle Toronto despite losing Allen last time and have the capability to do it again.
Cleveland ranks sixth in field goal percentage, and the ability to hit their shot gives them an advantage. The plethora of options helps the Cavs. Cleveland will cover the spread if it can hit shots, win the battle on the boards, and limit turnovers.
Why The Raptors Could Cover The Spread
Toronto did not play horribly in the last game against Cleveland. Siakam scored 24 points on 8 for 22 shooting. Also, Chris Boucher contributed with 21 points on 8 for 13 shooting, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc. In addition, Scottie Barnes added 19 points on 8 for 14 from the field, with a 3 for 6 mark from the triples. Gary Trent Jr. scored 19 points on 7 for 19 shooting to help with the tally. The problem in this game was free-throw shooting. Siakam went 7 for 13 from the charity line, missing six. The team shot 16 for 26 from the free-throw line, which has been one of the few weaknesses Toronto has.
Despite that, the Raptors hung tough with the Cavs in the last meeting and barely lost by a point in the one game the teams played in Toronto. It was a game in which the Raptors lead throughout the entirety until the last four seconds. Toronto controlled that game in every aspect, hitting their shots and scoring when it needed to. Siakam leads the Raptors in scoring, averaging 22 points per game, while also being their boards' leader, grabbing 8.3 rebounds per game.
Subsequently, Toronto has excelled in rebounding and controlling the turnover battle. They rank ninth in rebounds and third in turnovers. Therefore, the Raptors will cover the spread if they can control the boards and limit mistakes.
Final Cavaliers-Raptors Prediction & Pick
Losing Allen hurt the Cavs as its defense has struggled. Toronto has its injuries, as the Raptors will be without OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. tonight. Cleveland is looking to sweep the Raptors for the first time since the 2008-2009 season. This game will go down to the wire, but the point spread is the pick, and the Cavs will keep it close.
Final Cavaliers-Raptors Prediction & Pick: Cavaliers +4.5