The Toronto Raptors’ Game 1 demons came back to haunt them in the opener of their second-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Dinos face a must-win Game 2 on Thursday before the series shifts to Ohio. After the series opener went above the closing total, OVERs continue to cash when the Raps and Cavs get together. The OVER is 4-1 in the past five matchups between the squads.
Sportsbook opened the Raptors as 6.5-point home favorites with a total of 212.5.
- The total has gone UNDER in five of the Cavaliers’ last seven games with a closing total of 212.5 or less.
- The Raptors are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games with one day off between games.
- The Cavaliers are 6-1 SU and 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven games on the road against the Raptors.
Toronto has dropped nine of 11 playoff meetings with Cleveland over the last three years but was in a prime position to buck that trend before collapsing at the end of the fourth quarter and in overtime of the 113-112 setback. The Raps, who were leading by 13 in the second half, committed 14 turnovers while forcing just six. In the postseason, Toronto has coughed up the ball 17 more times than their opponents. Jonas Valanciunas was a bright spot, however, as the big man recorded 21 points and 21 rebounds in Game 1.
The Cavs managed to pull out a win despite getting an off night (by his standards) from LeBron James – something they didn’t do much of in the 2017-18 regular season. James recorded his 21st triple-double but went 12-for-30 from the field and 1-for-6 from the foul line, while Kyle Korver connected on five of his 12 three-point attempts from beyond the arc. Over the last two seasons, Cleveland has now hit at least 13 three-pointers in all five playoff games vs Toronto.
Backing Cleveland as an underdog in this spot has been a profitable endeavor. In the Cavaliers’ past 10 games when tabbed as underdogs of 6.5 or more points, they’re 7-3 ATS.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Toronto Raptors were listed earlier as 6-point favorites on the betting oddsboard at Sportsbook. Those betting on the total OVER/UNDER for points scored have seen that line set at 212.5 for Thursday at shops such as Sportsbook.
Handicapping prediction models run by the computers at OddsShark pick a 111-106 result in favor of the Raptors. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to vanquish their hosts on Thursday, as they are 34-55-1 versus the spread this season, while the Toronto Raptors are 47-41-1 ATS. Cleveland is 43-45-2 against the points scored total betting line, while Toronto is 44-43-2 versus the line. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Toronto vs Cleveland injuries news.
The betting Power Rankings at OddsShark have the No. 8-rated Cavaliers taking on the No. 5-rated Raptors in this NBA contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively the game matches up Toronto's No. 4-ranked offense (111.49 PPG) against a Cleveland defense that ranks No. 25 at 109.22 PPG. The Raptors have averaged 47.15% from the field per game, less than the Cavaliers have managed so far this NBA season (47.23% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Cleveland got 26 points and 11 rebounds from LeBron James en route to a 113-112 victory over Toronto on Tuesday at Air Canada Centre.
- Cleveland is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games
- Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 9 games
- Cleveland is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
- Toronto is 7-13-1 ATS in its last 21 games
- Toronto is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
- Toronto is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
- Toronto is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Cleveland home to Toronto, Saturday, May 5
