Monday, May 1, 2017

Quicken Loans Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Toronto Raptors travel to Quicken Loans Arena to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, May 1, 2017 in Game 1 of their Playoff series. The opening line for this matchup has Cleveland as 6.5 point favorites.

The Raptors finished the regular season with an overall record of 51-31. They were 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They had a point differential of 4.3 as they averaged 106.9 points per game while giving up 102.6 per contest. The Cavaliers had a regular season record of 51-31. They finished the year 1st in the Central Division. They averaged 110.3 points per game and surrendered 107.2, good for a point differential of 3.1.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 44-36-2 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 44-38-0 against the over/under

Important Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 36-43-3 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 47-35-0 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/16/16 F Chris Andersen ACL out for season
03/06/17 C Andrew Bogut Leg out for season

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry comes into this contest averaging 22.4 points per game while playing 37.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Raptors. He pulls down 4.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 82%. DeMar DeRozan averages 27.3 points per game in 35.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.9 assists per contest and 5.2 rebounds per game for Toronto. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

For expert handicapping advice on this matchup and other NBA games check out our handicapping tips.

Player Spotlight

Lebron James averages 26.4 points per game while playing 37.8 minutes per contest this year for the Cavaliers. He grabs 8.6 rebounds per game and has 8.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage currently is at 67%. Kyrie Irving averages 25.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.2 rebounds per contest and 5.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 106.9 points per contest this season which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.21 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 11th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 43.2 rebounds per game and 18.5 assists per game which ranks them 19th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 12.7 per game. The Raptors allow 102.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 8th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 6th and 12th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.1 rebounds a game which ranks 7th and they give up 21.8 assists per contest which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland averages 110.3 points per game this year which ranks them 4th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 3.18 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them sitting in the 5th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They average 43.8 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per contest which ranks them 12th and 13th respectively. In the turnover department the Cavaliers rank 16th with 13.7 per game. The Cavaliers allow 107.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 17th and 18th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 44.2 rebounds a game which ranks 20th and they give up 24.7 assists per contest which puts them in 29th place in the league. The Cavaliers force 12.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors have an offensive rating of 112.3 and a defensive rating of 107.8. In terms of pace they average 94.7 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 52%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they shoot 3 pointers on 29% of their shots. Toronto turns the ball over an average of 11.8 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers rating on offense is 113.6 and they have a defensive rating of 110.3. They get 96.2 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 55%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 58% and they attempt 3 pointers on 40% of their shot attempts. Cleveland turns the ball over on 12.6 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.4 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 52%.

Who will win tonight's Raptors/Cavaliers NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Cleveland -6.5

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