Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
May 3, 2018
Date & Time: Thursday, May 3 @6:00 PM
Venue: Air Canada Centre (Toronto)
Head to head record
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers 112-113 (2017/2018 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors 112-106 (2017/2018 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors 132-129 (2017/2018 NBA)
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers 133-99 (2017/2018 NBA)
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers 75-78 (2017 Summer League)
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers prediction
Toronto Raptors will be looking to get their revenge on Cleveland Cavaliers for a 112-113 loss when they take on each other at Air
Canada Centre in Game 2. Raptors are eager to tie the series, but beating LeBron James and Co. is easier said than done.
Lowry and DeRozan can do better
By beating Washington Wizards 4-2 Toronto Raptors set up a meeting with Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semis. DeMar DeRozan is not enjoying a season to remember and he has only 17.9 points per game in last ten games. On the other hand, Kyle Lowry scored 18 points and added 10 assists in Game 1, but that did not help Toronto record a win over Cleveland. It is well known that Raptors are tough to beat at home and the fact that they registered seven wins in previous home games is surely giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of Thursday’s clash. Dwane Casey’s men can’t afford yet another home defeat and there is every chance the Canadians will leave their hearts on the court in Game 2.
Fred VanVleet is a major doubt and he will be assessed ahead of the game, but coach Dwane Casey has no other injury worries.
Cavs showed character in Game 1
Cleveland Cavaliers did well to come from 14 points behind and beat Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre, with LeBron James scoring 28 points for the last season’s runners-up. However, the King James was not at his sharpest in the 113-112 victory over Dwane Casey’s troops as he had no less than 20 shots missed. Anyhow, Cavs moved one step closer to making it to the Eastern Conference final, but coach Tyronn Lue must warn his men against complacency. Seeing that Raptors are hungry for revenge, the visitors face an uphill task in Thursday’s showdown, but they feel no pressure ahead of Game 2. Cleveland are not regarded as good travelers. Tyronn Lue’s men have been having their ups and downs on the road this season and it is no surprise they are regarded as underdogs in the Air Canada Centre clash. In their penultimate meeting with Raptors in Toronto Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a heavy 133-99 defeat. As always, a man to watch in the away team will be LeBron James, who has been averaging 27.5 points this season.
Coach Tyronn Lue has no injury concerns ahead of Game 2 and he is likely to field the same starting line-up that defeated Toronto Raptors a couple of days ago.
Interesting Facts
- LeBron James has 9.1 assists per game
- Toronto scored 108+ points in each of their last five home games
- Cavs suffered three defeats in last six away games
- Raptors made only 9 3-point shots in the 113-112 loss to Cavs
- Dwane Casey’s men had 14 turnovers in Game 1
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers betting pick
Toronto Raptors were not at their sharpest in Game 1, but seeing that they are a real force to be reckoned with at home, I believe that they are capable of beating Cleveland Cavaliers at their Air Ccanad Center. Cavs rely too much on LeBron James and, taking everything into account, home win should be considered.
Pick: Toronto -6.5
Odds: -122
