It seems like the Toronto Raptors’ best chance at knocking off the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs will be by earning home court advantage in the regular season. Toronto is currently a couple of games ahead of Cleveland for the No. 2 seed and could take another step toward that goal when the teams face off in a critical regular season showdown this week.
The Cavs are widely expected to meet up with the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals but the Raptors would love to spoil those plans. They can put Cleveland and the rest of the East on notice with a win at home in this one.
It will be interesting to see how the oddsmakers peg this one, as each team can make a claim why it should be favored. The spread figures to be small either way.
Don't miss the hardwood action from the Air Canada Centre at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 11, 2018. Catch every moment of the game live on TNT.
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Odds Analysis
The Raptors are an impressive 28-10 straight up and are 22-16 against the spread. Toronto has played 15 home games this season and covered in nine of them. The Raptors are 16-13 against the spread as the favorite this season.
The Cavaliers are 26-13 straight up but just 12-26-1 against the spread. Cleveland is an awful 6-24-1 against the spread as the favorite on the season but may be the underdog in this one. The Cavs have covered in five of seven tries when getting points.
Player To Watch
Isaiah Thomas -- The Cavaliers’ high-scoring point guard has missed most of this season while recovering from a hip injury but is back now, and he is a welcome addition to the lineup. Thomas was acquired this offseason in the deal that sent Kyrie Irving to the Celtics.
Thomas is averaging 18.0 points and 3.5 assists per game in just a couple of contests. He could be on a minutes restriction, but his ability to put the ball in the hoop will put more stress on the Raptors’ defense.
It could take some time for Cleveland to learn Thomas’ tendencies, so Toronto is lucky in that this game is early in that process, but he is still a big-time player whose return to the lineup was welcomed with open arms.
Thomas was ejected last time out against the Timberwolves but should be good to go in this one.
Key Stat
7.9. That’s Toronto’s positive point-differential on the season, which is an elite number and is a positive sign moving forward. Only the Golden State Warriors have a better point-differential on the season, and any team in the same company as the defending champions is obviously doing something right.
Toronto has won five consecutive games and is doing a good job of establishing itself as a legitimate contender in the East. The Cavaliers are close in the standings but their point-differential is only plus-2.0, which is much closer to middle of the pack than elite status.
Then again, the Cavaliers have LeBron James as the difference-maker in close games, so though Toronto has looked better halfway through the year, it’s hard to bet against James.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Raptors are going to have to get over the hump of beating the Cavs in the playoffs, and that will be tough. A win in this one would be big, and the feeling is that Toronto should be sufficiently motivated to pull off this victory at home.
The Cavaliers are not yet playing at peak ability. That could be coming in the postseason, but for now the Raptors are the better team. Look for DeMar DeRozan to have a strong showing to help lead his team to the victory.
NBA Odds: Raptors 115, Cavaliers 113
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