Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
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Charlie Grant
The Raptors know a win over James and the Cleveland Cavaliers doesn’t mean much in March but it would only give them added confidence if (when) the two sides meet in the postseason.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Raptors won on Tuesday night against the Orlando Magic despite an eight-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter. Toronto won 93-86 but failed to cover as 9-point road chalk. The Dinos are 53-18 straight up and 40-31 against the spread this season, but 0-3 ATS in their last three games.
The Cavaliers are coming off a win and cover against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night. It was just their second ATS win in their last six games. Cleveland is still the worst bet in basketball at 23-46-1 ATS and sits third in the East standings with a 41-29 record.
Toronto took down James and Co. 133-99 in January but that was before the Cavs reshaped their roster. Cleveland has eliminated the Raptors from the playoffs two years in a row. The Cavaliers are still slight favourites to win represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals at +140 on the Sports Interaction futures board. Toronto is right behind at +150.
Toronto Raptors
DeMar DeRozan sat last night’s game against the Magic and is questionable to play against the Cavaliers because of thigh injury. Head coach Dwane Casey had already suggested to the media he might give DeRozan a rest day in a back-to-back situation, so it’s possible the All-Star shooting guard will be back in the lineup on Wednesday.
Of course, the Raptors don’t have much incentive to play DeRozan if he’s not completely fit. Toronto is five games up on the second-place Boston Celtics for first place in the East with just 11 games left in the regular season for both teams.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The drama never ends in the Cleveland. The good news of Kevin Love returning from injury is offset by head coach Ty Lue taking a leave of absence for personal health reasons. The Cavaliers won its first game with Larry Drew acting as the interim head coach.
Love looked good in 24 minutes of action against the Bucks, but the Cavaliers could be missing four rotation players on Wednesday against the Raptors. Tristian Thompson, Kyle Korver, Rodney Hood and Larry Nance Jr. are all dealing with issues. Nance Jr. is out with a hip injury while Korver is out to deal with a personal matter. Hood and Thompson are both questionable to play.
