The Toronto Raptors play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 at the Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night. Here’s a Raptors vs. Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Raptors vs. Cavaliers Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers are now in the driver’s seat as they are aiming for a 3-0 series lead after taking down the Raptors in a 115-105 home win on Monday. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists; James Harden added 28 points with five rebounds, four assists and five steals, while Evan Mobley tallied 25 points with eight rebounds on 11 of 13 shooting. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 53 percent from the field and 13 of 40 from the 3-point line as they played great defense early on to restrict the Raptors to just 19 points in the first quarter and they were always in control after opening the second half on a 17-7 run to take a 16-point lead, which was more than enough to get the win in the end. Check out another first round matchup between the Timberwolves and Nuggets tonight!
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors were hoping for a better outcome after dropping the series opener, but they were only marginally better in their tough loss in Game 2 on Monday. Scottie Barnes led the team in scoring with 26 points and five assists on 11 of 19 shooting, RJ Barrett added 22 points with nine rebounds and five assists on 10 of 13 shooting, while Collin Murray-Boyles chipped in with 17 points off the bench. As a team, the Raptors shot 51 percent from the field and seven of 26 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sloppy start and immediately fell behind and just when it looked like they were about to recover, they allowed the Cavaliers to catch fire in the third quarter to have them trailing to the final buzzer. The Raptors had a rough night shooting from behind the arc but what really killed them was their 22 turnovers, which led to 22 points for the Cavaliers.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The home team has won each of the Raptors’ last seven games.
- The Cavaliers have lost each of their last five road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the Raptors’ last seven games.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won each of their last 12 playoff games against the Raptors.
- The Raptors have lost eight of their last nine playoff games against Central Division opponents following a loss.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Raptors’ last eight games.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of the Cavaliers’ last 10 Eastern Conference First Round games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the last six Thursday games between the Cavaliers and Raptors has gone OVER the total points line.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- Scottie Barnes is the only player in the league to have recorded 25+ rebounds in a game this season.
- Brandon Ingram ranks 22nd amongst qualified players for points per game (21.5) this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- James Harden has recorded 67 games with 4+ assists this season—equal to the most of any player in the league.
- Dean Wade ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Raptors rank T1st in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (58.5%).
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points (1549) this season.
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for Q4 points per game this season (30.0).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for H2 points per game this season (61.2).
Raptors vs Cavaliers Prediction
The Cavaliers are keeping an eye on Thomas Bryant, who is a game-time decision, while the Raptors are sweating on the availability of Immanuel Quickley, who is a game-time decision with that hamstring injury. It is certainly tempting to take the Cavaliers to stay hot with another win and cover at this short line, but the series shifts to Toronto with the Raptors in desperation mode, so I will lean with the Raptors to get a much-needed win at home over the Cavaliers, who might just drop their focus with a comfortable 2-0 series lead.