Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors NBA Picks & Predictions 12/21/2018

Friday, December 21, 2018

Scotiabank Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers head to Scotiabank Arena to take on the Toronto Raptors on Friday, December 21, 2018. The opening line for this game has Toronto as 12 point favorites.

The Cavaliers head into this matchup with a mark of 8-24. They are 4th in the Central Division. They have a point differential of -8.2 as they average 102.9 points per contest while giving up 111.1 per game. The Raptors have an overall mark of 24-9. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They total 114.4 points per contest and give up 107.0, which is a point differential of 7.4.

Valuable Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 15-16-0 against the spread this season

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 14-17-0 against the over/under this year

Important Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 15-17-0 against the spread this season

The Toronto Raptors are 18-14-0 against the over/under this year

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/19/18 PG Matthew Dellavedova Knee is questionable Friday vs Toronto
12/11/18 F Tristan Thompson Foot is out indefinitely
11/26/18 G JR Smith Possible Trade is out indefinitely
11/16/18 F John Henson Wrist is out indefinitely
10/29/18 F Kevin Love Foot is out indefinitely

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/19/18 PG Kyle Lowry Thigh is questionable Friday vs Cleveland
12/19/18 F Serge Ibaka Knee is questionable Friday vs Cleveland
12/14/18 C Jonas Valanciunas Thumb is out 4-6 weeks
11/06/18 SF Norman Powell Shoulder is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Rodney Hood averages 13.1 points per contest in 28.5 minutes per game this year. He averages 2.1 assists per game and 2.5 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% for the season while his free throw percentage is 89%. Jordan Clarkson comes into this game averaging 16.8 points per contest while playing 25.9 minutes per night. He grabs 3.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.2 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry averages 14.2 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.2 minutes per game. He also hauls in 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes 10.0 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Kawhi Leonard scores 26.4 points per contest while playing 35.1 minutes per game. He hauls in 8.5 rebounds per contest and has 3.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cavaliers allow 111.1 points per contest which is 17th in the NBA. They also surrender a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 23rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.4 rebounds a game which ranks 7th, and they allow 23.9 assists per game which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 12.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Cleveland averages 102.9 points per contest, which is 28th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -8.2 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 26th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They average 43.8 boards per contest and 20.0 assists per game, which ranks them 22nd and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 28th with 12.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Raptors give up 107.0 points per game, which ranks them 7th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 5th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 24.1 dimes allowed per game and 14th with 44.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Raptors are 20th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per contest. Toronto is 6th in the NBA with 114.4 points per contest this season. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 7.4. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 20th in the league. They are 13th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.6 boards per contest and 12th in assists per game with 24.8. The Raptors are 21st in turnovers per contest with 13.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 115.8, and their offensive rating of 107.2 is ranked 30th. They are 28th in the NBA in pace with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 29th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 28th in the NBA. Cleveland is 27th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 1st in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 19th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 28th in the league. The Raptors are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.2, and their defensive rating of 106.8 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 99.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 3rd. As a team they are 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league.

So what is Tonights Parlay prediction?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Cleveland +12 and over 206 total points

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here