The last time I saw a bunch of dinosaurs taking that much of a pounding, Morgan Freeman was narrating an asteroid hitting Earth in the late Cretaceous.
The Cleveland Cavaliers crushed the Toronto Raptors by 13 points in their series opener this weekend, but that margin doesn’t reflect just how strong the Cavaliers look.
They took a 21-point lead into the fourth quarter, allowing Cleveland to rest some of its key contributors, like Evan Mobley.
Our Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions are optimistic about Cleveland’s forward, and my NBA picks are taking him to clear his points prop again in Game 2.
Raptors vs Cavaliers prediction
Who will win Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 2?
Cavaliers: The Cavaliers have too many options. The guard duo of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden was especially tricky in Game 1. If the Raptors overcommit to slowing them down, bigs like Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen will feast inside. Game 2 could be closer, but there’s no easy solution for the Raps' defense in this series.
Raptors vs Cavaliers best bet: Evan Mobley Over 16.5 points (-115)
Cleveland Cavaliers big Evan Mobley just topped his 16.5-point scoring prop in Game 1, doing so through only three quarters.
With the Cavs holding a comfy 21-point cushion entering the fourth quarter, Mobley logged less than six minutes and missed his only shot attempt in that final frame. He finished with 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting through 33 minutes.
The versatile 6-foot-11 forward is a matchup nightmare for the Toronto Raptors. Toronto can put big bodies on Mobley or counter with quicker defenders, but the Raps lack Mobley's combo of size and speed.
After getting shredded by the guard duo of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden in Game 1 (shooting a collective 8-for-14 from 3-point range), expect Toronto to hedge harder on the Cavs’ screen-heavy schemes and not drop as much in an effort to limit those 3-point looks.
That will generate a ton of space for screeners like Mobley, who will also force bad switches and enjoy exploiting size mismatches when the Raptors’ guards swap off pick-and-roll action.
Game 2 has the same spread as the opener, so oddsmakers expect a more competitive effort from Toronto. That will keep Mobley on the floor for more minutes — or at least more involved in the offense.
Player projections range from 17.5 to as high as 18.3 points from Mobley in Game 2, with my number at 17.9.
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Raptors vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
The Cavaliers have too many options, including a much stronger bench. Cleveland’s reserves made a massive impact in Game 1, contributing 40 points. Tonight’s tilt will be more competitive than the series opener, but the Cavs will take a 2-0 series lead north of the border.
Toronto can’t just trade threes for twos against the Cavs. The Raptors need production from the perimeter, and Brandon Ingram was very quiet in the opener. He missed his lone 3-point attempt, but closed the regular season with at least two triples in four of his final six games. Game models lean toward two 3-point makes from B.I. tonight.
Raptors vs Cavaliers SGP
- Cavaliers moneyline
- Evan Mobley Over 16.5 points
- Brandon Ingram Over 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Tall Order
The Cavaliers' guards gashed the Raptors in Game 1. With Toronto overcommitting, Cleveland's big men have their time to shine. Both Jarrett Allen and Mobley are projected to top their scoring prop tonight after taking their foot off the gas in the final frame of Game 1.
Raptors vs Cavaliers SGP
- Cavaliers -8.5
- Evan Mobley Over 16.5 points
- Evan Mobley Over 0.5 threes
- Jarrett Allen Over 13.5 points
- Jarrett Allen Over 8.5 rebounds
Raptors vs Cavaliers odds for Game 2
- Spread: Raptors +8.5 (-110) | Cavaliers -8.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Raptors +300 | Cavaliers -380
- Over/Under: Over 223 (-110) | Under 223 (-110)
Raptors vs Cavaliers betting trend to know
The Raptors have gone Under the total in 27 of their last 40 away games for +12.70 units and a 29% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 2
| Location | Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH |
| Date | Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Peacock/NBCSN |
Raptors vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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