The Cleveland Cavaliers (2-0) and Toronto Raptors (0-2) will face off in Game 3 of their first round NBA playoff series tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The game will broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.
The Cavaliers are 2.5-point favorites over the Raptors on the spread (Cavaliers -2.5), with the over/under set at 221 total points. Cleveland is a -155 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Toronto is +130 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, April 23.
Cavaliers vs Raptors Prediction
- Cavaliers vs Raptors pick: Raptors Moneyline (+130)
My Cavaliers vs. Raptors Game 3 best bet is on Toronto moneyline at +130. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs Raptors Game 3 Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -115 | 221.5 -112o / -108u | -155 |
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -105 | 221.5 -112o / -108u | +130 |
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Cavaliers vs Raptors NBA Playoffs Game 3 Preview
I have bet the Raptors in each of the past two games and lost on both. So, take this with a grain of salt — but the spot is genuinely good for Toronto.
The Raptors moved closer to hanging with the Cavaliers in Game 2, slowing down the offense, limiting Jakob Poeltl’s minutes, and focusing their offense.
There’s optimism Immanuel Quickley will return for this game; he’s been upgraded to questionable. That will give them a boost both in 3-point shooting and creation that they need.
Brandon Ingram cannot play worse than he did in Game 2. I mean, I suppose he could if he threw the ball backward over his head to an open Cavalier standing under his basket — but other than that, Game 2 is the floor.
Let’s imagine that Ingram won’t have the most embarrassing playoff performance of his career in consecutive games.
Cavaliers vs Raptors Pick, Betting Analysis
Moneyline: Raptors ML
I can’t shake the feeling that the Raptors just aren’t that far off from competing in this series — but also, that feeling has been wrong by margin of the market sentiment in consecutive games.
Total: Under 221.5
The Raptors’ offense may improve with Quickley back, but they still can’t shoot. However, they have found better defensive options.
The Raptors are switching more, blitzing less, and shortening the gaps that James Harden, in particular, likes to use coming off screens. They backed off their aggressive press in Game 2, which resulted only in halfcourt screens to create more downhill space.
Prop: Dean Wade Over 5.5 Rebounds & Assists
Dean Wade has been the Cavs’ answer to Ingram and has done an impressive job.
It’s not just the on-ball defense, it’s how he’s denied him the ball by fronting and being physical, and then bursting over and behind screens to cut off angles to the spots in the mid-range that Ingram likes to get to.
But, Wade just isn’t going to get the shot volume for his PA, PR, or PRA. So, I’ll play his rebounds and assists line instead, based on where and how he plays in the Cavs’ offensive schemes.
Cavaliers vs Raptors Game 3 Best Bets
- Raptors Moneyline (+130)
- Under 221.5 (-108)
- Dean Wade Over 5.5 Rebounds & Assists (+115)
