Free NBA Pick: Cavs vs Raptors NBA Odds
Looking for Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Cavaliers taking on the Raptors on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Cavaliers Raptors matchup.
Cleveland Cavaliers (50-32) vs. Toronto Raptors (59-23)
Eastern Conference Playoffs: Round 2 – Game 2
Date: Thursday May 3
Time: 6:00 PM EST
Venue: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NBA Moneyline Odds: -260
NBA Betting Odds: Raptors -6.5
NBA Betting Total: 212.5
Live NBA Odds
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Despite arriving on less rest and having to travel the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James took the initial game in the series for a 1-0 Eastern Conference Semi Finals lead. That said, this game felt more like the Toronto Raptors beat themselves more than the Cavaliers won.
Toronto Raptors
It’s not like the Raptors haven’t been in this very position before. They’ve been behind to LeBron James’ Cavaliers and lost copious first games in series.
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While pundits assumed the Cavaliers would be ripe for the picking given the travel and less rest, in the end the three days off may have played a part in the Raptors loss.
Toronto jumped out to an early lead and for three and a half quarters looked poised to take the win. Poor offensive execution down the stretch, repeated misses in close, too many turnovers and bad luck all factored as they lost by a single point.
Jonas Valanciunas was a beast on the inside and while Ty Lue went small to start, Casey stuck with his big man who registered a 21-21 double-double.
Still, overall the Lithuanian had a poor shooting night (36.8%) connecting on just 7 of his 19 shots (well below his 56.8% normal average). In particular he missed several late attempts which could’ve won the game for Toronto.
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Fred VanVleet (shoulder) is likely to play although he took a couple shots including an illegal screen from LeBron James which seemed to irritate the injury.
Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James stating he had an off night is relative given he posted his 29th playoff triple-double of his career (26-13-11). James shooting efficiency was off as he went 1-8 from deep and 1-6 from the line.
With games coming every other day, playing almost 47 minutes and an early start Thursday James’ fatigue level may be a factor in Game 2.
The more experienced Cavaliers were the story as Kyle Korver (19), JR Smith (20), Jeff Green (16) and Tristan Thompson (14) all scored in double digits.
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Thompson became a major factor in the second half when Lue put in the Canadian to counter Toronto’s bigs. His nine offensive boards could be cited as the turning point.
Neither George Hill (back) or Kevin Love (thumb) played a major factor in the outcome, however they offered a calm presence on the court and should be available Thursday.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Raptors are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10
- Cavaliers are 8-2 in last 10 head to head
- Over Under is 7-3 in team’s last 10 head to head matchups
Free Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Prediction:
With the early start fatigue could play a greater factor in Game 2. Although many are quick to jump on the Cavaliers dominance of Toronto the reality is the Raptors are still the better overall team.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors – 6.5
Toronto is favored in Game 2 by a greater margin than Game 1. Remember, oddsmakers sure aren’t going to throw away money on the best player in basketball if they think Toronto is going to fold.
Expect a big response from Toronto with an eye to stopping everyone not named LeBron and protecting the ball better.
NBA Free Score Prediction: Raptors 112 – Cavaliers 103
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