Oh, Canada. We feel for you (and Drake), but the Cavs may as well be a brick wall for TO when it comes to the playoffs. Two more wins and the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to make a return to the Eastern Conference Finals after taking down the Toronto Raptors in Game 2 of their series Thursday, 128-110. Can the Cavs bury Toronto even deeper? Or will the Raptors avoid a 3-0 hole and at least make this series interesting?
It’s happening again for the Raptors. They are choking again in the face of LeBron James and the Cavaliers. But there’s still time to turn it around for Toronto. First, the Raps need to tighten up their defense after forcing just three turnovers in Game 2. The Cavs have shot 49.5 percent against them in the series. It’s easier said than done, but Toronto is unlikely to survive if they let Cleveland shoot 59.5 percent again just like what the Cavs did Thursday night. Serge Ibaka also needs to show up, which the entire city of Toronto is pleading the big man right now. Ibaka went 0-for-5 from the field in Game 2 and finished with just two points, albeit in only 12 minutes on the floor. He’s been simply ineffective Dwane Casey has taken his minutes away Thursday.
The under is 4-2 in the Raptors’ last six road games.
Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers (-4.5)
On Thursday, LeBron did what LeBron usually does in the playoffs against the Raptors: he tortured them to near submission. The four-time MVP scored at will in the game, punishing any poor defender who dared guard him, as he put up 43 points on 19-for-28 shooting from the field to go with 14 assists and eight rebounds in 41 minutes. LeBron aside, the biggest story for the Cavs is Kevin Love’s rejuvenation. Love finally had game to be proud of this postseason after scoring 30 in Game 2. With the series shifting to Cleveland, the Cavs’ confidence is now on a high, as they know the Raptors have been miserable in The Land over the past few seasons.
The Cavs are 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games at home against the Raptors.
