The Cleveland Cavaliers head to Canada on Saturday to face the Toronto Raptors. The Raps are in the middle of a rebuild after overhauling their roster over the last couple of months, but they are healthy and coming off back-to-back wins.
Cleveland is red-hot, having won eight in a row, and that streak is expected to continue as NBA odds have the Cavs installed as 9-point road favorites for this Eastern Conference showdown.
Here are my best free NBA picks for Cavaliers vs. Raptors on February 2.
Cavaliers vs Raptors odds
Cavaliers vs Raptors predictions
The Toronto Raptors are coming off consecutive wins for just the second time since the start of December. However, they scored just 107 points on 42% shooting against the Rockets last night, and I'm holding my applause for a 123-point explosion on Wednesday since it came against the worst defensive team in the NBA in the Hornets.
Now they have to play on back-to-back nights and face the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers, who are second in the league in defensive rating and points allowed per game (109.3). Those numbers are especially impressive when you consider that All-Defensive first-team forward Evan Mobley was injured for almost two months and didn't return to the Cavs lineup until last week.
The Raps beat the Cavs 124-121 when these teams previously faced off on New Year's Day. However, it's worth noting that during that matchup, the Raptors were still in their honeymoon stage with R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Additionally, they benefited from taking a significant 40 free throw attempts, while the Cavs were without both Mobley and Darius Garland.
The Raptors lineup has been completely transformed after trading away O.G. Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, and Dennis Schroder. While they still possess some talented offensive players in their starting lineup, they don't shoot well from the perimeter and have no scoring punch off the bench. They've been heavily reliant on scoring inside the paint but Cleveland allows the fourth-fewest points per game in the paint (46.3), with that number slimming to 42.7 ppg over the last month.
The Raptors team total is set at 110.5 for tonight and they've gone below that number in seven of their last 11 games. Meanwhile, the Cavs prefer a slower pace and have allowed fewer than 110 points in 14 of their previous 17 contests. Fade the Raptors offense tonight.
My best bet: Raptors team total Under 110.5 (-115 at PointsBet)
Cavaliers vs Raptors same-game parlay
Raptors team total Under 110.5
R.J. Barrett Over 3.5 assists
Evan Mobley Over 8.5 rebounds
Barrett dropped seven dimes against the Rockets last night and he has now logged at least four assists in six of his last seven games. With Schroder traded to the Nets on Thursday, Barrett will be expected to be even more of a distributor moving forward. Taking the Over on his assists and the Under on the Raps team total creates a nice multiplier for this parlay.
Mobley has seen his minutes somewhat limited since coming back from a knee injury less than two weeks ago, but he's still been cleaning up on the glass. The Cavs power forward has pulled down double-digit boards in three of his last four games and is coming off a 12-rebound performance against the Nets on Thursday.
Mobley averages 10.2 rebounds per game and he continues to get closer to 100%. Getting his rebounds total at 8.5 against a below-average rebounding team like the Raptors is a steal.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Cavaliers vs Raptors spread and Over/Under analysis
The line opened with the Cavs at -8.5 and the total at 228.5. The spread has ticked up to -9 at some books while the total has moved to as high as 230.0.
Since losing to the Raptors on New Year's Day, Cleveland boasts a 16-1 record straight up (12-5 against the spread). With a healthy Garland and Mobley back in the lineup, this could be one of the most dangerous teams in the East.
The Raptors secured a 107-104 victory last night, fending off a late rally from the Rockets. Prior to that, they defeated the Hornets 123-117 on Wednesday, although they had to mount a comeback against one of the league's weaker teams.
In their last 16 games, Toronto has struggled, managing only a 4-12 SU record.
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Cavaliers vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors have cashed the Under on their team total in 22 of their last 30 games at home (+12.70 Units / 37% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Raptors.
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Cavaliers vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Saturday, February 10, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN, BSOH |
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