Free NBA Pick: Raptors vs Cavaliers NBA Odds
Looking for Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers free NBA playoff picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Raptors taking on the Cavaliers on Monday May 1, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena for game 1. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA playoff basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions.
Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Eastern Conference Round 2: Game 1
Date: Monday May 1
Time: 7:00PM EST
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
NBA Moneyline Odds: Cavaliers -320, Raptors +265
NBA Betting Odds: Cavaliers -6.5
NBA Betting Total: 208.5
Live NBA Odds
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This is not a rivalry, at least not yet. These two teams met in the Conference Finals a year and the Raptors pushed them to 6 games before advancing and ultimately taking the title. Toronto is set on closing the gap so even though it is not yet the conference finals they are going to be amped up.
Cleveland will have not played in a week so they might come out a little flat. This is a veteran team that should be able to avoid that kind of emotional letdown but it is hard to stay game ready for that long.
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The first quarter should be very interesting in terms of setting the tone for the game and the series.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are looking to get back to the conference finals but there is a big obstacle in their way – the Cavs. This is the moment they have been waiting for and now they have to prove they are ready for their closeup. I think they can challenge throughout the series.
The biggest question for Toronto is which lineup we will see when they take the floor on Monday night. You can make an easy case for the fact that things turned for Toronto when coach Dwayne Casey put Norm Powell into the lineup, going with a much smaller group.
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Powell not only played very well but the group was better defensively and more athletic. I think it is a move that could work against Cleveland as well though the size and offensive ability of Jonas Valanciunas is not to be undervalued.
Powell or no Powell the Raptors need their stars to play like them, especially PG Kyle Lowry. Lowry was out a big chunk of the second half of the season and got in just a few games before the end of the regular season. As a result his game has lacked consistency. They need him to score and more.
If you are going to do a playoff preview you have to talk a team’s best player right? DeMar Derozan finished 5th in the league in scoring in the regular season. He cannot take a game off in this series if the Raptors are going to have a chance.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland might have found its stride against Indiana but I am not sure. Yes they got the sweep but some of those games were pretty close and they are still giving up more points than I think they should be comfortable with.
The Cavs have the biggest advantage in the NBA with LeBron. He was great in the Indiana series and it will be interesting to see who the Raptors tab to guard him – they actually have a few good options this season.
I expect James to be extra bouncy in G1. The extra time off might help him the most.
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The Cavs got some great shooting numbers from their secondary scorers against Indiana. If they keep shooting like that against Toronto they may have just as easy a time. even though the Raptors are very well aware of the need to guard the arc.
Kyrie Irving might be more engaged in this one. I think he did not feel all that challenged against Indiana but if Lowry finds his game that will push him to be more aggressive.
That is not necessarily a bad thing for Cleveland.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 4-0 in Raptors last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Cavaliers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Cavaliers are 0-2-2 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Cavaliers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games.
Free Game 1 Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Prediction:
It might be obvious but I think the first quarter of this game will say a lot, especially for Toronto which has been getting off to bad starts. Look for them to try and make a statement in the opening frame, especially if they are sticking with their new lineup.
Still that doesn’t mean they are going to stun Cleveland. Winning on the road is never easy, though the Raptors have won their last two road playoff games (against Milwaukee).
4* Free NBA Game 1 Betting Pick: Raptors +6.5
The Raptors are not going to steal game one but they are going to make things a little uncomfortable for the champs.
NBA Free Score Prediction: Cleveland 104 – Toronto 100
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