The Cleveland Cavaliers (41-15) travel to Toronto to take on the Raptors (38-18) in what should be a high-scoring game. Action begins at 7:30 pm ET on Friday, Feb. 26 and can be seen on FxO and SNT.
The Raptors enter this game hoping for similar success after defeating the Timberwolves 114-105 on Wednesday. DeMar DeRozan was the game’s high scorer with 31 points on 11-for-19 shooting. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, are coming off a 114-103 win over the Hornets on Wednesday. LeBron James was the game’s top scorer, accounting for 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
Kyrie Irving has been on a tear over the last five games for the Cavaliers, averaging 21.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.6 three-pointers.
This matchup figures to be a high-scoring affair as the Raptors rank fifth in the NBA in offensive efficiency (107.4), while the Cavaliers are fourth (108.0).
The two teams have split their matchups this season. The Cavaliers had the upper hand in the most recent game, a blowout 122-100 win. In the loss, Kyle Lowry had a double-double with 23 points and 10 assists.
The Raptors enter the game with records of 38-18 Straight Up (SU) and 30-25-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 38-18 SU and 30-25-1 ATS against the Eastern Conference. Toronto is very careful and attentive with the ball, averaging the third-fewest turnovers per game at only 12.5.
As for their opponent, Cleveland has a SU record of 41-15 and an ATS record of 25-29-2. Against the Eastern Conference, Cleveland is 41-15 SU and 25-29-2 ATS. The Cavaliers are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking fifth in the NBA at 1.76.
The Cavaliers’ win over Toronto in their last clash moved the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over the past 10 meetings. The Cavaliers hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Cle
Notes
Cleveland averages 103.1 points per game (ranked ninth). However, Toronto has allowed an average of just 97.6 points per game (ranked fifth).
Cleveland averages 100.2 points per away game (ranked 15th). However, Toronto has allowed an average of just 96.7 points per home game (ranked third).
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a superb 23-7 record when their opponents score fewer than 100 points this season. The Toronto Raptors are 10-8 when they score less than 100.
The Cavaliers have an 18-8 record when they allow at least 100 points. The Raptors have also performed well when they register triple digits with a record of 28-10 in such contests.
The Cavaliers have the fourth-best offensive rating in the NBA (108.0). The Raptors are also in the top half of the league based on their defensive rating of 102.3 (ranked ninth).
The Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking eighth in the league with a FG% of 45.8%. When their opponents have a similar or higher FG%, the Toronto Raptors are 9-13.
The Toronto Raptors average 23.0 three point attempts per game, and the Cleveland Cavaliers attempt 28.0 per game. When going for at least 25 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Toronto is 16-9 and Cleveland is 26-13.
Toronto has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.49 this season (ranked 23rd). Cleveland ranks higher with an A/TO of 1.76 (ranked fifth).
The Toronto Raptors rebound 43.4 times per game and are ranked 16th. Ranked seventh, the Cleveland Cavaliers rebound 44.9 times per game.
Toronto is ranked 18th in defensive rebounds, while Cleveland ranks ninth in offensive rebounds.
The Toronto Raptors’ opponents have had an average turnover percentage of 14.2% this season. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a solid 17-6 record when their TOV% is 14.2% or higher.
