The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers will meet in Game 2 of their first-round NBA playoff series tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The game will broadcast live on Peacock.
The Cavaliers are 8.5-point favorites over the Raptors on the spread (Cavaliers -8.5), with the over/under set at 222.5 total points. Cleveland is a -345 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Toronto is +275 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks for Monday, April 20.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Prediction
- Raptors vs Cavaliers pick: Raptors +8.5 (-110)
My Cavaliers vs. Raptors Game 2 best bet is on Toronto to cover the spread. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Odds
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -110 | 222.5 -110o / -110u | +275 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -110 | 222.5 -110o / -110u | -345 |
Raptors vs Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 2 Preview
Sigh. I bet the Raptors in Game 1, and they were my upset series pick, but they got dismantled.
I don’t want to bet the Raptors again. I didn’t want to bet a team that depends on Brandon Ingram in the first place — and I don’t really want to do it a second time. But, if I’m giving out a pick, I can’t change after one game.
I’m going to try and stretch believability to infinity here with this case: the Raptors' game plan was so bad that it has to be better in Game 2, right?
The Raptors played a wide, deep drop coverage against two of the best pick-and-roll players in the last 15 years in James Harden and Donovan Mitchell. They did not force Harden right, letting him get to his left. They did not consistently ice him in pick-and-rolls to move him away from the middle.
Toronto was without Immanuel Quickley, which unbalanced their lineups. They need to be able to play offense with the Cavaliers to start and then counter with defensive lineups.
The Raptors' younger players looked shook and out of place — and while that may continue in this series, it likely won't be as bad as the shock of Game 1.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Pick, Betting Analysis
Raptors +8.5
It’s not that the Cavaliers can’t play great again, they absolutely can. It’s that the Raptors — hopefully, surely — will have a better game plan, if not execution, in Game 2.
Things went the Raptors’ way in Game 1, shooting-wise; that’s the scary part. They shot 48 percent from three-point range when they’re not a good 3-point shooting team.
But, I’m going to give them another chance to put together a game plan that makes sense given their personnel.
Under 222.5
I am also, somehow, betting the under again.
If the whole idea is “the Raptors shot better than they should” and “the Raptors should be able to come up with a baseline competent game plan for a playoff series against the Cavaliers,” then this nearly six-point adjustment from the open of Game 1 is too much.
This line has come down from its open, showing smart money behind the under.
Ingram was upset at his role after Game 1. The squeaky wheel gets the grease; there will be an effort to get him involved. That will mean more mid-range shots for Toronto and fewer threes.
Brandon Ingram Over 21.5 Points
Ingram still had 17 points despite the offense going completely away from him in Game 1. The Cavaliers put Dean Wade on him, and Wade did an excellent job of denying him the ball and taking away his ability to get to his spots.
However, the solve will just be Ingram bringing the ball up more, at which point he’ll take a screen and then shoot from the mid-range.
Ingram may lose, but he’ll get his shots first and foremost.
Jakob Poeltl Under 16.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists
Poeltl can’t execute the schemes that the Raptors need in this series against Mitchell and Harden.
It’s not just about containing the guards; no one can do that. He leaves huge gaps in the pocket for easy passes to the roll-man. He gets caught high when the Raptors bring the screen back.
There’s just no real place for him. Expect more of Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukeshavili, but not enough to bet on either one.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Best Bets for Game 2
- Raptors +8.5 (-110)
- Under 222.5 (-110)
- Brandon Ingram Over 21.5 Points (-108)
- Jakob Poeltl Under 16.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists (-112)
