Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
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Charlie Grant
The short-handed Raptors have revenge on their minds for Thursday’s TNT showdown against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers who swept them from out of the playoffs last spring.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Cavaliers are coming off a 28-point loss – their largest setback of the season – to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The result dropped Cleveland to 3-6 straight up and 1-8 against the spread over its last nine contests. Despite their 26-14 record, the Cavs are a league-worst 12-27-1 ATS this season. Toronto lost 90-89 in a heated contest against Miami on Tuesday night at the ACC. It was only the Raptors’ second setback in 16 games on their home floor and dropped their season record to 28-11 SU and 22-17 ATS. The Cavs are 7-2-1 against the number in their last 10 games against the Raps and 5-0 ATS in their last five trips to Canada.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland didn’t have too many options when Kyrie Irving informed the club he wanted out of town. The Cavs knew they had James under contract for one more season; knew they had replace Irving’s scoring and knew future-proofing was needed in case LeBron bolted at the end of the season. The return from Boston matched their needs but the replacement for Irving had to wait until All-Star point guard and former Celtic Isaiah Thomas recovered from his hip injury. Thomas is being eased into playing shape after making his season debut just after New Year’s Day. Thomas is filling the hoop in limited minutes but Cleveland’s real weakness is at the defensive end of the floor. The Cavaliers own the second-worst defensive rating in the Association.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto could be without two of its starting five players on Thursday – but for different reasons. Point guard Kyle Lowry sat out Tuesday’s game because of a bruised tailbone and is questionable to play against Cleveland while power forward Serge Ibaka is out because of a league-issued suspension. Ibaka threw a punch at Miami forward and former Raptor James Johnson on Tuesday night.
