Cavaliers vs Raptors Odds & Picks: Toronto Looks To Continue Late-Season Push

The Toronto Raptors (40-32 SU, 40-31-1 ATS) will look to pull even with Cleveland (41-31, 40-29-3) in the Eastern Conference standings when they welcome the Cavaliers to Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. The Raptors are 6-2 in their last eight games while the Cavaliers are 4-4 over their last eight. Can Toronto keep climbing in its late-season push? Find out in our Cavaliers vs Raptors prediction.

Cavaliers vs Raptors Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

The Raptors opened as a 4-point home favorite with the total set at 214 points. The OVER is 5-0 in Cleveland’s last five outings while the UNDER is 4-1 in Toronto’s last five. Toronto has enjoyed success against Cleveland at home, winning five of the last six matchups at Scotiabank Arena – a notable trend to consider for your Cavaliers vs Raptors prediction.

Get the best Cavaliers vs Raptors odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Cavaliers Lose To Lakers As James Torches Hometown Team

The Cavs fell 131-120 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday as LeBron James was a one-man show, dropping a triple-double with 38 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds. Russell Westbrook also had a double-double for Los Angeles with 20 points and 11 assists while D.J. Augustin scored 20 as well. Darius Garland carried Cleveland with 29 points and 17 assists but couldn’t lead his team to a win.

James has historically owned his hometown team, going 17-1 against Cleveland while averaging 29.6 points per game against the Cavaliers – his highest scoring clip against any opponent. Cleveland’s third-ranked defense has been excellent this season, surrendering just 104.6 points per game, but couldn’t contain a motivated James on Monday night.

Rajon Rondo (ankle) and Dean Wade (knee) are out for Thursday’s contest.

Raptors Run Out Of Gas Against Bulls

While James beat his former team on Monday, the Raptors also fell victim to a familiar face as DeMar DeRozan led his Chicago Bulls to a 113-99 victory over Toronto. DeRozan had 26 points, tying teammate Zach LaVine for the game high. Pascal Siakam had 22 points to lead the Raptors in a losing effort.

The Raptors kept the game close until the third quarter when LaVine scored six straight points to lead a 21-8 run for the Bulls. Monday’s loss came in the second outing of a back-to-back and the third game in four nights for a Toronto team that simply ran out of gas.

OG Anunoby (finger) and Gary Trent Jr. (toe) are listed as questionable.

Cavaliers vs Raptors Pick & Insights

Cavaliers: Keys To Cover

The Cavs will want to get back to solid defensive basketball, which shouldn’t be too difficult given the Raptors’ mediocre offense, which is averaging just 108.7 points per game (19th). With two top-10 defenses going head-to-head, this has all the makings of a low-scoring affair, which is right in Cleveland’s wheelhouse.

Raptors: Keys To Cover

It was clear that the Raptors were fatigued late in Monday’s loss, but with two days of rest going into Thursday’s game, they should be refreshed and ready to go. Toronto has beaten some excellent teams like the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers over the last couple of weeks, so they should have the confidence to take down Cleveland.

Odds Shark’s Computer Cavaliers vs Raptors Prediction: Cavaliers +3.5

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