The Toronto Raptors (33-14) put their eight-game winning streak on the line when they square off against the Cleveland Cavaliers (13-35) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 30, 2020, and will air on CTV Sportsnet Toronto.
Toronto is a 10-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 220.5 points at PointsBet SportsBook.
Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ATS Prediction
In the Raptors’ last game, they covered the 13-point spread against the Atlanta Hawks, 130-114. The game’s combined points (244) were over the O/U total of 234.5. The Raptors forced 18 turnovers and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (22.7 vs. 19.2). With 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting, Serge Ibaka was Toronto’s leading scorer.
The Cavaliers fell to the New Orleans Pelicans in their last outing, 125-111. They failed to cover as 8.5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (236) finished over the O/U total of 232. New Orleans’ effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Cleveland. The Pelicans had a rate of 0.608 (above their season average of 0.532), while the Cavaliers posted a mark of 0.495. With 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, Cleveland’s Larry Nance Jr. put together a solid game.
The Raptors have emerged victorious in both contests against the Cavaliers this year, including a decisive 20-point victory in their last matchup. Toronto covered as an 8-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 214 points, which was just 4 points below the projected point total of 218 points. The Raptors made 20 of their 25 free throws (80.0 percent) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (23.3 vs. 18.6). Ibaka put up a double-double in the victory with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Toronto heads into the contest with records of 33-14 straight up (SU) and 26-20-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Raptors games, with 25 overs compared to 22 unders.
Meanwhile, Cleveland owns records of 13-35 SU and 20-26-2 ATS. Vegas tends to set the total low when the Cavaliers are involved, as 27 of their 47 games have finished over the O/U total.
The ineffective offense of Cleveland will battle against the stingy defense of Toronto. The Cavaliers rank 25th in offensive efficiency, while the Raptors are second in defensive efficiency. The Raptors should have the edge on that end of the court.
Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Toronto is 12-10-1 ATS on the road with 12 unders and 11 overs.
At home, Cleveland is 8-15-1 ATS with 13 overs and 11 unders.
Cleveland is 4-3 when they allow less than 100 points, while Toronto is 12-3.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Raptors are 31-9 and the Cavaliers are 12-23.
Toronto ranks second in points allowed in the paint per game (42.1) while Cleveland ranks last (54.3).
The Raptors average 20.4 points off turnovers per game, which ranks second in the league. The Cavaliers rank last in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.9).
Toronto ranks second in steals per game (8.7) while Cleveland ranks 27th in steals allowed per game (8.9).
The Raptors rank third in fast break points per game (17.9) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (10.4).
Toronto ranks ninth in assists per game (25.7) while Cleveland ranks 29th in assists allowed per game (25.7).
The Cavaliers rank fifth in rebounds allowed per game (43.1) while the Raptors rank 24th (46.8).
Cleveland averages 13.7 second chance points per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. Toronto ranks 26th in second chance points allowed per game (14.1).
The Raptors rank 13th in blocks per game (5.0) while the Cavaliers rank 29th (3.3).
Cleveland ranks 13th in three pointers allowed per game (33.1) while Toronto ranks 29th (38.5).
In its last five contests, Toronto is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.6, up from 6.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 106.0 points per game (0.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 114.6 points per game (0.5 above their season average).
