The Cleveland Cavaliers (8-24), 12-point underdogs, will have their chance to bring down the league’s top team when they square off with the Toronto Raptors (24-9) at Scotiabank Arena. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 206 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 21, 2018.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Odds
Although the Cavaliers were beaten by the Charlotte Hornets in their last game, 110-99, they were able to cover as 14-point underdogs. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, beat the Indiana Pacers,99-96, but failed to cover as 4.5-point favorites. The Cleveland game finished 5.5 points under the projected point total of 214.5, while the Toronto game went 16 points under the projected point total of 211.
The Raptors forced 20 turnovers, while the Pacers had a free throw rate of 0.138 (below their season average of 0.179). Cleveland, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (8.1 vs. 11.1). Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard played well, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Cleveland was lifted by Larry Nance Jr., who put up 10 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists.
The Raptors have won both contests against the Cavaliers this season. The two teams combined to score 201 points in their most recent game, which was under the projected point total of 213. Toronto won 106-95 but was unable to cover as a 12-point favorite. Toronto’s 0.531 effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Cleveland, who had a mark of 0.415. Leonard scored a game-high 34 points.
Of the Cavaliers’ 32 games, 18 have gone under the total. Cleveland heads into the contest with records of 8-24 straight up (SU) and 16-16 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Cleveland, a little over half of Raptors games have finished over the total. Further, Toronto owns records of 24-9 SU and 15-18 ATS.
Rodney Hood has taken his game to another level recently for Cleveland, averaging 15 points over the last five games.
The prolific offense of Toronto (second in the league with an offensive efficiency of 112.0) will battle against the porous defense of Cleveland (30th in the league with a defensive efficiency of 112.6). The Raptors should have the edge on that end of the court. Also, the Cavaliers rank 23rd in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.181), while the Raptors rank fifth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.178).
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors Betting Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Cavaliers average 13.6875 second chance points per game, which ranks 11 in the NBA. The Raptors rank 15 in second chance points allowed per game (13.424242424242424).
- Toronto ranks eighth in points off turnovers per game (18.2) while Cleveland ranks 29th (13.6).
- The Raptors rank ninth in blocks per game (5.5) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (2.5).
- Toronto ranks 10th in three pointers attempted per game (33.5) while Cleveland ranks 27th (25.3).
- Toronto ranks 12 in steals per game (8.333333333333334) while Cleveland ranks 26 (6.78125).
- The Raptors rank third in fast break points per game (18.0) while the Cavaliers rank 24th (10.2).
- The Raptors rank 11 in assists per game (24.78787878787879) while the Cavaliers rank 28 (20).
- Toronto ranks seventh in points in the paint per game (51.3) while Cleveland ranks 27th (42.4).
- Toronto is 7-1 when they allow below 100 points, while Cleveland is 3-2.
- The Raptors are 22-7 when they reach the century mark, while the Cavaliers are 6-12.
- Cleveland is 9-6 ATS on the road, while Toronto is 6-10 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 10 of the Cavaliers’ 15 road games, while 10 of the Raptors’ 16 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Cleveland and Toronto have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Cavaliers are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Raptors are 2-3.
- During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 102.2 points per game (0.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 109.8 points per game (1.3 below their season average).
- The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.4, down from 7.4 for the season.
