Free NBA Pick: Raptors vs. Cavaliers NBA Odds
Looking for Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Raptors taking on the Cavaliers on Sunday, March 21st, 2021, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Raptors Cavaliers matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(17-24) Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-26)
Date: Sunday, March 21st
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH.
NBA Moneyline Odds: Raptors -296 | Cavaliers +255
NBA Betting Odds: Raptors -7.5
NBA Betting Total: O/U 217
On Sunday, March 21st the Cleveland Cavaliers play host to the Toronto Raptors in their first meeting this season.
Last season, the squads played three times with the Raptors winning all three contests. Cleveland holds the all-time record having won 49 matches of the 93 played.
Toronto Raptors
While the Raptors battled trying to win games without three core players, two reserves, and most of their front-row coaching staff for approximately 20 days each they continued to slide down the standings.
Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet returned Wednesday and with OG Anunoby back Friday the Raptors were finally healthy.
Against the Jazz, Siakam registered 27 points, five rebounds, nine assists, and a steal. VanVleet dropped 17 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and two steals. Anunoby delivered 15 points, five rebounds, an assist, four steals, and a block.
To put in perspective, how vital this trio is to the Raptors, check out their cumulative effect 59 of 112 points (52.6%), 16 of 31 rebounds (51.6%) 19 of 31 assists (61.2%), 7 of 9 steals (77.7%), and 9 of 21 three-pointers (42.8%).
Visually, their presence had a palpable effect on the defensive side of the floor. Utah shot 32.4% from deep making 12 of 37 attempts well off their 39.5% and 16.9 averages.
Toronto did everything right – but win. Moreover, Donovan Mitchell might want to walk back his recent rant regarding officiating bias as he took as many free throws as the Raptors (14) while his team took 41 including a massive 17 to 2 fourth-quarter advantage.
In the end, Siakam’s final shot rolled around the rim and fell out and the Raptors lost by two points. Nick Nurse channeled Mitchell post-game saying “they (the refs) weren’t going to let us win” stating he felt Toronto was the aggressor, better across the board, and deserved the win.
Cleveland Cavaliers
That the Cavaliers have two fewer losses than the Raptors speaks to how much the relocation and COVID-19 adversity affected Toronto.
Cleveland however, has a better record in the last seven games sporting a 2-5 record with wins versus the Rockets and Celtics. JB Bickerstaff will attempt to get the Cavs to channel a similar effort to what they used against Boston.
The Cavs last game resulted in a loss to the Spurs but featured outstanding play from their starting backcourt and a late attempt to come back with 44-points in the final frame.
Essentially the Cavaliers did most of their damage via a quartet of standout performances. Darius Garland and Collin Sexton each scored 29 points.
Jarrett Allen and Lamar Stevens delivered identical double-doubles of 15 points and 11 rebounds
Taurean Prince (shoulder), Kevin Love (calf), and JaVale McGee (illness) all missed the game Friday and are listed as day-to-day. Andre Drummond (not with the team) and Matthew Dellavedova (appendicitis) are both out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Raptors are 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Cavaliers are 6-4 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 7-3 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Prediction:
Both teams are playing the front side of a back-to-back set but it’s the Raptors who need to take care of business in order to stop the bleeding and go on a winning streak to get back in the playoff mix.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors ATS
While the Raptors are healthy the bigger issue will be getting past the psychological effect of losing six matches when opponents were awarded twice as many free throws (eight games in total with wins versus the 76ers and Nets).
Look for Toronto to capitalize on the scheduling advantage versus the Cavs and Rockets prior to a stretch featuring the Nuggets, Suns, and Blazers.
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