The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the Eastern Conference Semifinals in an unfamiliar position, as they were the underdogs to the Toronto Raptors when it started. But they have instead played like the powerhouse they have long been, winning both games in Toronto to take control of the series.
If the Cavaliers can win at home in Game 3 they will likely cruise into the Eastern Conference Finals. However, the Raptors are only slight underdogs in this matchup and are assuredly going to give it their all as they aim to scratch back into this series.
This is a pivotal game for both sides and one that will play a big role in how this series ends up unfurling. The Cavs have the home court advantage but the Raptors are the higher seed so this could end up being a classic in NBA basketball wagering.
Game 3 of this NBA Playoff Series is on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 8:30 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The contest will be nationally televised on ABC.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
Odds Analysis
The Raptors are listed as 4.5-point underdogs in Game 3, so while they are less likely to win, it’s not out of the question they capture this contest. The Cavaliers are getting huge backing, as more than 82 percent of the action is on Cleveland to cover.
The scoring total is listed at 217 points as the oddsmakers expect a fast-paced contest. The “over” is the more popular choice early on. The Cavaliers are pegged at -200 to win this contest while the Raptors are the +170 underdogs. Cleveland is the more popular choice on the moneyline as well.
Last Time Out
The Raptors actually led at halftime of Game 2, but the Cavaliers put up huge numbers in the second half and cruised to a 128-110 win. LeBron James led the way as he scored 43 points while adding 14 assists and eight rebounds. James shot 19-of-28 from the field and put together another dominant showing.
Kevin Love added 31 points as Toronto had no answer for Cleveland’s two stars. DeMar DeRozan had 24 points and Kyle Lowry added 21 points and eight assist, but they did not have much help. The Cavaliers shot 54 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range in the game, which allowed them to pull away for the all-important victory.
Key Stat
2. That’s how many years in a row the Cavaliers have knocked Toronto out of the postseason, and they are now threatening to do it in a third straight year. However, this was the first year the Raptors were the team to beat in this series.
The Cavaliers made the NBA Finals each of the previous times they beat the Raptors. Cleveland is now in the driver’s seat after barely making it into the second round, beating the Pacers in seven games in the opening round.
Toronto certainly should have had confidence this would be the year it came out on top, and while there is still time to turn it around, the odds are certainly against the Raptors pulling it off at this point.
Free NBA ATS Picks
This spread is much too high in favor of Cleveland. The Cavs have certainly looked good through two games, but it would be silly to throw away a season’s worth of data this quickly. Jump on the Raptors to cover this spread, and they could be a good choice on the moneyline to come away with the win and make this a series again in NBA basketball wagering.
Take the “over” as this should be come entertaining basketball.
NBA ATS Pick: Raptors 113, Cavaliers 110
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