The Cleveland Cavaliers welcome the Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference Finals Game matchup that pits the third-ranked offense against the fourth-ranked defense. Action begins at 8:30 pm ET on Sunday, May 29 and can be seen on ESP.
The Cavaliers enter this game hoping for similar success after dismantling the Raptors 113-87 on Friday. With 33 points and 11 rebounds, LeBron James recorded his 35th double-double this season.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength, as the high-octane offense of Cleveland (third in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 110.1) takes on the top-notch defense of Toronto (fourth in the league with a defensive efficiency of 103.9). Also, the Raptors commit the fewest errors in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.8%), while the ball-hawking defense of the Cavaliers causes the third-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 13.4%).
The Cavaliers enter the game with records of 69-27 Straight Up (SU) and 46-48-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 69-27 SU and 46-48-2 ATS versus the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 93.5 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 104.7 points per game. Few teams in the league have a higher assist-to-turnover ratio than Cleveland, which ranks fifth at 1.81. Transitioning to the Cleveland defense, teams routinely struggle to score points against the Cavaliers, who allow only 97.7 points per game. Teams have to fight for open shots against the Cavaliers, who have one of the best opponent field-goal percentages in the league at .449.
As for their opponent, the Raptors head into the game with records of 51-50-1 ATS and 66-36 SU. Most recently, Toronto is 7-3 ATS over the last 10 games. During the last 10 games, they averaged 108.3 PPG, above their 100.9 PPG season average. A large part of Toronto’s game is creating turnovers and turning them into points. They are scoring 16.5 points per game off turnovers, which ranks second in the league.
Cleveland won the last meeting this season between these two teams, moving its SU record against the Raptors to 6-4 in their last 10 head-to-head meetings. The Cavaliers also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Cle
Notes
On average, Toronto scores 100.9 points per game (ranked 21st), while Cleveland gives up 97.7 points per game (ranked fourth).
Toronto puts up an average of 98.2 points per away game (ranked 23rd), while Cleveland allows 97.2 points per home game (ranked fourth).
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a winning record (42-10) when their opponents score fewer than 100 points this season. The Toronto Raptors are 20-21 when they don’t hit triple digits.
The Cavaliers have a 27-17 record when they allow at least 100 points. The Raptors have also performed well when they reach the century mark with a record of 46-15 in such games.
The Cavaliers have the third-best offensive rating in the NBA (110.1). The Raptors are also in the top half of the league based on their defensive rating of 103.9 (ranked fourth).
The Cleveland Cavaliers average 95.1 possessions and 1.101 points per possession in games this season. The Toronto Raptors average fewer possessions with 94.7, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.065.
Ranked second in the NBA, Cleveland has an average effective field goal percentage of 53.0%. Toronto is 15-20 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Cleveland Cavaliers make 22.7 assists per game and the Toronto Raptors make 18.1. Cleveland is ranked 11th, while Toronto is ranked 29th.
Cleveland makes an average of 3.8 blocks per game (ranked 27th). Toronto ranks higher in blocks with 5.1 (ranked 14th).
Cleveland is ranked 13th in offensive rebounding. Toronto ranks 22nd in defensive rebounds.
On average, Cleveland makes 6.8 steals per game. Toronto has a winning 43-20 record when it allows at least 6 steals.
