Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors - 12/31/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors

Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: TSN

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -7.5

Total/Over-Under: 218

Fred VanVleet and the Toronto Raptors (22-11, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) play the Cleveland Cavaliers (10-22, 5th in the Central Division) at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday, December 31, 2019. The spread on this matchup has Toronto as 7.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 218.

The Cavaliers cover the spread 45.2% of the time, having gone 14-17-1 ATS. Toronto covers the spread 57.6% of the time, going 19-14-0 against the spread.

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/29/2019 Dylan Windler SG Lower Leg Game Time Decision
12/29/2019 Kevin Love PF Hip Game Time Decision

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/29/2019 Norman Powell SG Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Dec 31
12/25/2019 Dewan Hernandez C Ankle Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/25/2019 Pascal Siakam PF Groin Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/20/2019 Matt Thomas SG Finger Expected to be out until at least Jan 4
12/19/2019 Marc Gasol C Hamstring Expected to be out until at least Dec 31

Player Spotlight

Tristan Thompson averages 12.8 points per contest in 31.4 minutes per game this year. He averages 2.3 assists per game and 10.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 50% for the season while his free throw percentage is 58%. Collin Sexton comes into this game averaging 17.9 points per contest while playing 30.6 minutes per night. He grabs 3.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.4 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

OG Anunoby averages 11.0 points per game and he sees the court an average of 29.6 minutes per game. He also hauls in 5.7 rebounds per game and dishes 1.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 63%. Fred VanVleet scores 18.2 points per contest while playing 36.5 minutes per game. He hauls in 3.9 rebounds per contest and has 6.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cavaliers allow 113.2 points per contest which is 20th in the NBA. They also surrender a 49% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 26th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.4 rebounds a game which ranks 6th, and they allow 25.7 assists per game which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 13.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Cleveland averages 104.6 points per contest, which is 27th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -8.7 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 22nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 34%, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They average 44.5 boards per contest and 21.3 assists per game, which ranks them 19th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 3rd with 16.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Raptors give up 106.2 points per game, which ranks them 7th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 2nd and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 25.2 dimes allowed per game and 28th with 47.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Raptors are 27th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16.5 per contest. Toronto is 14th in the NBA with 111.3 points per contest this season. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 5.1. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 4th in the league. They are 11th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.2 boards per contest and 10th in assists per game with 25.0. The Raptors are 13th in turnovers per contest with 15.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 113.8, and their offensive rating of 105.1 is ranked 29th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 99.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 23rd. As a unit they are 24th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 19th in the NBA. Cleveland is 4th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 56%, which is 2nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 10th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 29th in the league. The Raptors are 15th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.6, and their defensive rating of 104.6 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 12th. As a team they are 10th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league.

So what is Tonights Parlay prediction?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Toronto -7.5 and over 218 total points

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