There’s just no stopping Cleveland right now. The red-hot Cavaliers stretched their unbeaten run to three games with a 14-point victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday. LeBron James and co. will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they face the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre later tonight.
Who will emerge victorious in this Eastern Conference clash? Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this NBA matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between the Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors Preview
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto
When: Wednesday, November 25, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers (11-3)
The Cleveland Cavaliers preserved their unbeaten home record with a convincing 117-103 victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday night. Kevin Love led the way for the Cavs, scoring a season-high 34 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Love has been solid on both ends of the floor for Cleveland, averaging 19.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists this season.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Key to the Cavs’ hot start this campaign has been their phenomenal offense. Cleveland is averaging 104.9 points per game this season, third-best in the NBA. The Cavs have stepped up their offensive play of late, averaging a whopping 113.7 points in their last three games. That scorching offense was in full display Monday against Orlando where they shot a solid 53.1 percent from the field.
They will look to replicate that performance when they take on the Raptors later tonight. The Cavs will have their work cut out for them, however, against a Toronto side that’s fifth in the NBA in scoring defense this season. The Cavs will take comfort in the fact, though, that they have fared extremely well against the Raptors on the road of late. The Cavs have won four of their last six games against the Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Cleveland has covered the spread in all six of those games as well.
For the Cavs to extend that dominance tonight, they will need LeBron James to continue his excellent play. James had 15 points and 13 assists in the game against Orlando. It was a historic night for the four-time MVP who joined the legendary Oscar Robertson as the only players in history to rank in the top 25 in both career points and assists.
The Cavaliers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
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Betting on the Toronto Raptors (9-6)
The Toronto Raptors extended their winning streak to two games with an impressive 91-80 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. DeMar DeRozan and DeMarre Carroll each scored 21 points for the Raptors who finished their five-game road trip with a 2-3 slate.
Key to the Raptors’ sudden resurgence has been their phenomenal defense. The Raptors are allowing just 96.5 points per game this season, fifth-best in the NBA. The Raptors have held opponents to 93 points or fewer over their last three outings. That defensive intensity was in full display Sunday against the Clippers where they held Blake Griffin and Chris Paul scoreless through the first 20-plus minutes. What made that feat so impressive was that they pulled it off without the services of Jonas Valanciunas who’s out with a broken hand.
Things are bound to get tougher, though, for the defensive-minded Raptors as standing in their way tonight are the sizzling Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have scored more than 100 points in four of their last five outings. The Cavs are currently fourth in the NBA in field goal shooting with a solid 48.7 percent clip.
For the Raptors to stretch their unbeaten run tonight, they will need to get another huge performance from Luis Scola. He had 20 points and eight rebounds in the win against the Clippers. It was his play, though, on the defensive end that really took center stage in that contest. He played a huge part in Toronto holding Griffin to a season-low nine points. He will need to bring that same kind of effort against Love who is averaging 27 points and 11.3 rebounds in Cleveland’s last three games.
The Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Cleveland edges past Toronto, 102-99.
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