After ending the Cleveland Cavaliers’ perfect playoff record in Game 3, the Toronto Raptors continued to bring the fight to their conference rivals with another hard-fought victory in the following game, 105-99. So now, both clubs have two wins apiece and there’s no question that tonight’s Game 5 is going to be a very crucial one.
Can the Cavs regain control of this best-of-seven series? Or will the Raps pull off the huge road win? Read on below for a better look at this showdown.
If you’re yearning for some tennis action as well, click here to view our preview of the second-round matchup between Nick Kyrgios and Igor Sijsling in the 2016 French Open.
Toronto’s looking good right now especially after its two huge victories in Game 3 and Game 4. Both of those games were at home, though, and the question still remains on whether or not the Raps can translate that success in front of a hostile crowd. They’ll have a chance to do so in tonight’s Game 5.
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have been spectacular in the last two games, averaging 27.5 and 32.0 points, respectively. And what’s more impressive is that both are shooting above 50 percent from the field during that stretch. As long as those two continue to be this lethal, they might just be able to steal a big road win.
Meanwhile, Bismack Biyombo will continue to be an integral factor to Toronto’s success until Jonas Valanciunas finally makes his return. The 23-year-old center from Congo has done a solid job in imposing his presence on both sides of the floor. Biyombo has grabbed 44.9% of all the team’s rebounds in the last two games. He’s also averaging 6.0 points and 3.5 blocks during that stretch.
The Raps, however, have been held below 90 points in the first two games at Cleveland. They are also 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS in its past five visits to Quicken Loans Arena.
Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers
A trip back to Quicken Loans Arena might just be what Cleveland needs to relocate its form again. Prior to the two games at Toronto, the Cavaliers have dominated this series on both sides of the court by racking up 111.5 points per game and allowing the Raptors to score just 86.5 points collectively.
LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are going to have to all show up in order for the Cavs to replicate that success at home.
James, needless to say, should be able to do so as he’s managed to score at least 20 or more points this postseason. The same could also be said for Irving, who did well to bounce back from his forgettable performance in Game 3. The crafty point guard finished with 26 points on 11-of-21 shooting despite the loss in Game 4.
Love, on the other hand, has been the missing key for the Cavs. After a pair of relatively good efforts in Games 1 and 2, the former Timberwolves center has been held to just 13 points in the previous two meetings. Love’s got to shake off this slump if he wants to help his team avoid a third-consecutive loss later.
Also, the Cavs, who are giving up 94.3 points in this series, have to pick up the slack on defense. They need to keep the Raptors’ offense below a hundred points, and the best way to do that is to shut down the pair of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
Cleveland is 9-1 SU and 8-2 ATS in its previous 10 home games.
