DeMar DeRozan is one of the best stories in the NBA right now. He’s received comparisons to Michael Jordan thanks to his unbelievable start to the season. As of this writing, the Raptors wingman leads the league in scoring with 34.0 points on 54.0 percent shooting, including at least 30 points in eight of his first nine games.
And by the way, you can bet on DeRozan now at the price of +1,200 to be named as this year’s MVP.
Speaking of which, an MVP-type performance from him should give the Raptors a solid chance of an upset over the defending champion Cavaliers tonight. This marks the second meeting between these two Eastern Conference rivals, with Cleveland winning the first one at the Air Canada Centre, 94-91.
The Raps didn’t win a regular-season game at Quicken Loans Arena last year—or even in their three visits during the postseason. But that losing drought could come to an end if DeRozan, who torched the Cavs with 32 points last month, continues to click on all cylinders.
Toronto is 4-1 SU and ATS in its last five games overall.
Cleveland has only lost one game this season—thanks to the Hawks—and it hopes to keep it that way in tonight’s heavyweight showdown with the visiting Raptors.
Since being handed their first loss, the Cavaliers responded with back-to-back victories (1-0-1 ATS) at the expenses of the Wizards and Hornets. In both games, the superstar trio of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love carried the offense, as each managed to score in double-digits during that brief stretch.
James, in particular, has looked like a very attractive bet at +550 to claim his fourth MVP award, averaging triple-double-like numbers of 22.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game this season.
The reigning champs have been great offensively, ranking third in the NBA in scoring (109.4) and tied for first in three-pointers made per game (13.7).
However, the Cavs’ defense has had its shortcomings, especially at home where they are allowing 105.3 points a game. That’s certainly music to the ears of Toronto’s backcourt duo in DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.
