The Cleveland Cavaliers were coming off a solid past week’s slate of games leading into their game against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. That would’ve seemed to be a good chance to go 4-1 in their last five-game home stand, with LA’s inconsistencies, and lack of Anthony Davis still.
It didn’t play out that way, as James got whatever he wanted in a triple-double performance, and LA had wide-open look after wide-open look on the interior in some key stretches, and Cleveland lost 131-120.
The Cavaliers are still in a nice spot, on the plus side, but their games from here on out are all going to be crucial. Cleveland is sixth in the Eastern Conference, with their next game at the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, the club that’s right behind them at seventh in the conference.
The Cavs finish their regular season series with the Raptors on Thursday and are going for the sweep. So what do you need to know, and how to bet?
The Cavaliers have beaten the Raptors in each of their three meetings this season, but the Wine and Gold stole a win in the first matchup very early on in Toronto, the second matchup in Cleveland was against a COVID-19-riddled team and the latest meeting was a close game in Cleveland.
In regards to how both teams have been doing of late, they’ve had their ups and downs, partly due to injuries on both sides. Either way, this matchup on Thursday should be a fun one, and I’d expect it to go down to the wire against evenly matched teams.
Both squads are looking to secure a postseason berth, with Toronto currently being in a play-in spot at seventh in the East, and Cleveland in an automatic postseason spot at sixth.
This is also another matchup between two guys that are likely #1 and #2 in the Rookie of the Year race right now in the Cavs’ Evan Mobley (seemingly the frontrunner) and the Raps’ Scottie Barnes.
Cavaliers-Raptors: Betting info
According to our partners at WynnBet, the Raptors are favored by 5.5 over the Cavaliers in this contest. The over/under total for both clubs is set to be 215.0.
The over/under for Toronto individually is currently 110.5 and that for Cleveland is 104.5.
Cavaliers-Raptors: Projected starters and injury report
Raptors starters: Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr./Scottie Barnes, Scottie Barnes/Pascal Siakam, Pascal Siakam/Precious Achiuwa, Khem Birch
Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Lamar Stevens, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley
Raptors injuries: Malachi Flynn (out, hamstring); Isaac Bonga (out, G League-on assignment); David Johnson and Justin Champagnie (out, G League-two-way); OG Anunoby (questionable, finger); Gary Trent Jr. (questionable, toe).
Cavs injuries: Jarrett Allen (out, finger); Dean Wade (out, knee); Rajon Rondo (out, ankle); Collin Sexton (likely out for season, knee);
Cavaliers-Raptors: Prediction
As we noted, the Cavs have been 3-0 against the Raptors this season, and they’re going for the season sweep on Thursday night.
However, we touched on how two of the three games have been close, and I’d expect that to likely play out again here.
But frankly, this go-round, with VanVleet in this time, whether or not Trent or Anunoby play, I’d think the Raptors get the job done. The Cavs have been much better in second halves, usually, on the defensive end, in fairness; I just don’t think the Cavaliers have quite enough in them in the second half.
Granted, the Cavs should be within striking distance for much of it, and I do believe Mobley, Markkanen and Kevin Love avail themselves well, but VanVleet’s presence could end up being the difference down the stretch. And I still believe while Mobley makes his two-way impact, Barnes stuffs the stat sheet as well, and Toronto’s transition production is a bit too much.
I have the Raps winning, but the Cavs cover. I’ll go with the over.
Let’s still keep in mind that with both having nine games left from here, if it comes down to it, the Cavaliers would still have the head-to-head tiebreaker, though.
Prediction: Raptors 112, Cavs 108
The Bet: Cavs (+5.5), OVER
Cavs-Raptors: Where to watch
This Cavs-Raptors matchup will not be on ESPN, which it was flexed to during the last meeting between these two clubs. For fans subscribed and in-market, this one will be on Bally Sports Ohio.
As an alternative, for fans out of market, not with that option and/or subscribed to it, NBA League Pass will have this one.
Cavs upcoming schedule:
After this pivotal last regular season meeting with the Raps, the Cavs will have another key matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night at home, and then face the Orlando Magic again at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday.
Cleveland will look to avenge their last two losses in Chicago in that game on Saturday again featuring two teams right near one another in the East, whereas the Cavaliers will need to take care of business against a Magic team that is hoping to generate some momentum heading into next season. Orlando has several intriguing young players, but is a few years away from competing in the East it appears.
From there, Cleveland will take on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks on this upcoming Wednesday, again at home. Dallas is one of the league’s hottest teams, and that will be another tough contest. The trade deadline acquisition of Spencer Dinwiddie has paid off for them, too.