The Toronto Raptors (14-15) visit the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Sunday for a 6 p.m. ET tip-off against the Cleveland Cavaliers (19-13). Below, we look at the Raptors vs. Cavaliers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Toronto has had three of its past four games postponed due to a COVID outbreak but most recently beat the Golden State Warriors 119-100 Dec. 18. The Raptors have won three of their last four and have covered in six of the past seven games.
Cleveland had its six-game winning streak snapped with a 111-101 loss at the Boston Celtics Wednesday as 6.5-point road underdogs. The Cavs covered their previous 14 contests.
The Cavs beat the Raptors 102-101 as 6-point road underdogs in their first meeting this season Nov. 5, and the Under cashed on the 204-point total.
Raptors at Cavaliers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Raptors +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | Cavaliers -410 (bet $410 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Raptors +8.5 (-120) | Cavaliers -8.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 205.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Raptors at Cavaliers key injuries
Raptors
- PG Fred VanVleet (health and safety protocols) out
- SG Gary Trent (health and safety protocols) out
- PF Pascal Siakam (health and safety protocols) out
- C Precious Achiuwa (health and safety protocols) out
- SF OG Anunoby (health and safety protocols) out
- SF Scottie Barnes (health and safety protocols) out
Cavaliers
- SF Isaac Okoro (reconditioning) questionable
- C Jarrett Allen (health and safety protocols) out
- PF Evan Mobley (health and safety protocols) out
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Raptors at Cavaliers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 105, Raptors 92
Money line
PASS since I don’t give Toronto’s G-League squad much of a chance against a Cleveland team that has a lot more of its regular players in the lineup. But, there’s no way I’d tout a Cavaliers (-410) wager either.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the CAVALIERS -8.5 (-105) since we are getting the worst of the number because Cleveland opened up as a 6.5-point favorite before the early bettors steamed up that line.
Also, the missing Cavs starters are vital to how they operate – so I’m not as confident Cleveland wins by that margin.
However, the absence of Allen and Mobley means more PF Kevin Love minutes, which might not be a bad thing. Especially against this Toronto team playing without most of its normal contributors.
Furthermore, Cleveland’s backcourt of PG Ricky Rubio and SG Darius Garland should really feast in their matchups. Garland is playing at an All-Star level while Toronto’s starting point guard (PG Brandon Goodwin) is playing on a 10-day hardship as a replacement player.
Over/Under
BET the UNDER 205.5 (-112) as my favorite bet in the Raptors-Cavaliers game because this is a Pros vs. Joe’s game for the total.
According to Pregame.com, roughly 90% of the cash is on the Under whereas two-thirds of the bets placed have been on the Over.
Typically, in sports betting, it’s wise to follow the money especially when it’s flowing in the opposite direction as the public.
In my opinion, the people betting the Over are doing so under the flimsy notion that “this total is too low”. But, there’s more logic backing the Under here since teams play at a below-average pace, and the Cavaliers have gone Under the total in five straight games.
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