Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Picks & Predictions 5/5/2018

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Quicken Loans Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Toronto Raptors head to Quicken Loans Arena to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, May 5, 2018 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Cavs lead the series 2-0. The opening line for this game has Cleveland as 4 point favorites.

The Raptors had a regular season record of 59-23. They were 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently had a point differential of 7.8 as they averaged 111.7 points per game while giving up 103.9 per contest. The Cavaliers had an overall mark of 50-32. They finished 1st in the Central Division. They totaled 110.9 points per contest and gave up 109.9, which is a point differential of 1.0.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 48-42-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 47-43-0 against the over/under

Important Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 35-54-2 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 45-45-0 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry comes into this game averaging 16.2 points per contest while playing 32.2 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 5.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 6.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is 85%. DeMar DeRozan averages 23 points per contest in 33.9 minutes per game this year. He averages 5.2 assists per game and 3.9 rebounds per contest for Toronto. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Kevin Love has scored 17.6 points per contest while playing 28 minutes per game this season for the Cavaliers. He hauls in 9.3 rebounds per contest and has 1.7 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 88%. Lebron James averages 27.5 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 8.6 rebounds per game and 9.1 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 111.7 points per contest this year, which is 4th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 7.78 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 8th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They average 44 boards per contest and 24.3 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 25th with 13.4 per game. The Raptors allow 103.9 points per contest which is 8th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 11th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42.4 rebounds a game which ranks 7th, and they allow 21.8 assists per game which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 19th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland is 5th in the NBA with 110.9 points per contest this season. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 0.94. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 6th in the league. They are 23rd in the NBA in rebounding with 42.1 boards per contest and 11th in assists per game with 23.4. The Cavaliers are 21st in turnovers per contest with 13.7. The Cavaliers give up 109.9 points per game, which ranks them 26th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 28th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 25.9 dimes allowed per game and 17th with 43.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Cavaliers are 5th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 105.9, and their offensive rating of 113.8 is ranked 26th. They are 14th in the NBA in pace with 97.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 5th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the NBA. Toronto is 27th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 28th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 21st in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the league. The Cavaliers are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.9, and their defensive rating of 111.9 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 98 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 38% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Toronto +4

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