Offense meets defense when the Cleveland Cavaliers (47-30) welcome the Toronto Raptors (55-21) to Quicken Loans Arena. The game will air on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 3, 2018.
Cleveland opened as a 1-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 222.5 points.
Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Prediction
The last time the Raptors played, they were beaten by the Boston Celtics, 110-99. Boston’s 4.8 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Toronto, who had a rate of 14.3. The Celtics’ mark was better than their season average of 12.4. DeMar DeRozan was the top scorer from either team with 32 points on 12-for-19 shooting.
The Cavaliers were victorious over the Dallas Mavericks in their last contest, 98-87. The Cavaliers held the Mavericks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 9.1 (below their season average of 17.9). The Mavericks had a free throw rate of 0.125 (below their season average of 0.169). With 16 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, Cleveland’s LeBron James led the way with his 16th triple-double of the season.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of Cleveland (fifth in the league with an offensive efficiency of 110.9) takes on the top-notch defense of Toronto (fifth in the NBA with a defensive efficiency of 104.4). Also, the Raptors rank fourth in turnover percentage (12.7 percent), while the Cavaliers rank 26th in opponents’ turnover percentage (12.9 percent).
Toronto comes into the contest with records of 55-21 straight up (SU) and 40-36 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Raptors’ games have finished over the projected point total.
Cleveland has a solid 47-30 SU record, but they are just 29-47-1 ATS. Games involving the Cavaliers have a slight tendency to go over the projected point total (49.4 percent).
Jonas Valanciunas has averaged 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over the last five games for Toronto.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Cavaliers won the most recent matchup 132-129, covering as 2-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 261 points, which was 35.5 points above the projected point total of 225.5 points. Cleveland did a great job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (23-28; 82.1 percent). Toronto, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.6 vs. 14.8). James put up a double-double in the victory with 35 points and 17 assists.
Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Toronto is 21-17 ATS with 21 overs and 17 unders.
At home, Cleveland is 12-25-1 ATS with 19 unders, 18 overs and 1 push.
When allowing below 100 points, Cleveland is 16-3 and Toronto is 25-5.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Cavaliers are 45-17 and the Raptors are 51-13.
Toronto ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (24.9) while Cleveland ranks 29th (31.8).
The Raptors rank second in blocks per game (6.1) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (3.8).
Toronto ranks sixth in assists per game (24.2) while Cleveland ranks 26th in assists allowed per game (25.6).
The Raptors average 48.5 points in the paint per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 21st in points allowed in the paint per game (46.6).
Cleveland ranks 15th in second chance points allowed per game (12.7) while Toronto ranks 25th (13.3).
The Raptors rank 16th in steals per game (7.7) while the Cavaliers rank 25th (7.0).
Toronto ranks seventh in points off turnovers per game (17.4) while Cleveland ranks 15th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.1).
The Raptors average 43.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 15th in the league. The Cavaliers rank 20th in rebounds allowed per game (43.8).
Toronto ranks eighth in fast break points per game (13.6) while Cleveland ranks 11th in fast break points allowed per game (11.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Toronto is 0-5 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Raptors have been outscored by an average of 3.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Toronto has defeated opponents by an average of 7.8 points.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 104.6 points per game (5.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.2 points per game (8.4 below their season average).
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