Raptors vs. Cavaliers Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
If the Raptors plan on catching the Milwaukee Bucks for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, which is looking less and less likely by the day, then Toronto has to win games against bad teams like Monday’s trip to full-on rebuilding Cleveland. However, it could be a major trap game. It closes a three-game trip, it’s the second of a back-to-back and the team’s third game in four nights, and is ahead of the lone visit of the season to Toronto by LeBron James and the Lakers on Thursday. Monday feels like a scenario where Kawhi Leonard, at a minimum, could sit out.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Toronto goes for the four-game season sweep, winning each of the first three by double digits back in the 2018 portion of the schedule. It should be noted that Cleveland’s best player, Kevin Love, played in just one of the three. The Raptors haven’t swept the Cavs since early this century back when Cleveland didn’t have LeBron.
Leonard has dominated vs. Cleveland this year, playing in all three and averaging 31.7 points and 9.0 rebounds. Kyle Lowry played in just one and had 27 points. Love had 21 points and seven rebounds in his lone game vs. the Cavs. Jordan Clarkson is averaging 17.7 points vs. Toronto in the three.
The Raptors are 1-6 ATS in their past seven trips to Cleveland. The total has gone over in eight of the previous 11 meetings.
Toronto Raptors
Perhaps Leonard will play (no sure thing) because he was given Sunday off, with Toronto winning 125-104 in Miami. The Raptors tied a franchise record by hitting 21 three-pointers (attempted 40) and outscored Miami 62-24 from deep. The Raptors shot 56.8 per cent overall. Lowry was 6-for-11 from deep and finished with 24 points and 10 assists.
Toronto outscored Miami by 31 points with Lowry on the court. Pascal Siakam added 20 and Norman Powell 15 off the bench. Toronto is 14-5 without Leonard this season. The Raptors are just 2-8 ATS in their past 10 games.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland lost its second in a row Friday, 126-110 in Miami. Rookie Collin Sexton had one of his better games with 27 points on 11-for-17 shooting, although he did turn it over seven times. Ante Zizic returned from a concussion and had six points and six rebounds. Backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova was out with a concussion so Brandon Knight played a season-high 26 minutes and had a season-high 15 points.
Big man Larry Nance Jr. injured his chest Friday and won’t play Monday. He averages 9.1 points and 7.9 rebounds. Fellow frontcourt guys Tristan Thompson (foot) and John Henson (wrist) are also out. Cleveland is 8-2 ATS in its past 10 games on two days of rest.
