Raptors vs. Cavs Game 1 Pick
The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers open up their NBA Playoff series today at 7PM ET for Game 1. Which team will come away with a cover?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Cavs are favored at home in Game 1, as they are getting odds of -6.5 points against the Raptors. The over/under total for the game is listed at 208.5 points. These two met four times this season, with Cleveland winning three of the four meetings. The two both went 2-2 against the spread.
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Cleveland is coming off a four-game sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the first round. The Cavs covered the spread in the two road games, but failed to cover in the two at home. Cleveland now averages 110.5 points per game on offense while allowing 107.2 on defense. LeBron James led the team in the opening series with 32.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 blocks per game. Kyrie Irving added 25.3 points per game.
The Raptors had a battle in the opening round, going six games with the Milwaukee Bucks. Toronto had to win the last three games to close out the series. The Raptors also covered in the last three games to go 3-3 ATS in the series. Toronto averaged 106 points per game this season while allowing 102 on defense. DeMar DeRozan led Toronto in the series with 23.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Kyle Lowry added 14.3 points and 5.2 assists per game.
The Cavs have been able to rest up, but I am not sure that is going to help them really pick up a large win today. Cleveland didn’t beat the Pacers by more than 6 points in any game of the first round, so I think the Raptors are shaping up to cover. Toronto seemed to start clicking at the end of their series and I think they will carry that in to Cleveland today. The Raptors’ defense should pose some problems for LeBron and company.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: TORONTO RAPTORS +6.5