The two best words in sports are “Game 7.” When the Cleveland Cavaliers went up 2-0 in this series, there was little thought that the Toronto Raptors could rally. After all, both wins came by double digits.
But when the home team wins every game of a series, Game 7 is assured. These Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks quietly bet on the role players on Sunday, May 3.
Best Raptors vs Cavaliers props for Game 7
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 James Harden |
Under 20.5 points | -120 |
 Collin Murray-Boyles |
Over 12.5 points | -135 |
| Donovan Mitchell |
Over 4.5 assists | +125 |
Game 7 Prop #1: James Harden Under 20.5 points
This is not intended as mere fodder, though there is nothing wrong with laughing at James Harden in a Game 7. There is further thought here, mainly that Harden has not shot well enough inside the arc in this series to make up for not getting enough looks from deep.
Harden is 17-for-43 (39.5%) from beyond the arc through these six games, but his attempts have fallen to just 18 in the last three games. Taking six 3-pointers per game, while then presumably making two to three of those, is not a recipe for a scoring outburst.
Thus, Harden has fallen short of this modest points prop in three of the last four games, all three being Cleveland Cavaliers losses.
The Toronto Raptors have emphasized getting the ball out of Harden’s hands, correctly recognizing that doing so lowers the Cavaliers’ offensive ceiling.
Game 7 Prop #2: Collin Murray-Boyles Over 12.5 points
The recipe for the Raptors has been simple: When Collin Murray-Boyles plays well, the Raptors win. One might even argue that when Murray-Boyles plays much, the Raptors win.
When the rookie forward has played at least 27 minutes, Toronto is 3-0 in this series. Of course, nothing in life is that simple.
But the fact remains, the Raptors should lean into Murray-Boyles. The Cavaliers have not found an adequate counter to him through six games, so he's cleared this prop five times in six games. Just as pertinently, Murray-Boyles is shooting 66.1% in this series.
He may be a rookie. He may be an afterthought in this rookie class. And he may be behind Jakob Poeltl more often than not. But in this series, Collin Murray-Boyles has been a reliable piece of offense for Toronto.
Game 7 Prop #3: Donovan Mitchell Over 4.5 assists
If and when the ball is forced out of James Harden’s hands, it is time for Donovan Mitchell to shoulder more of the playmaking load. That worked to start the series, with Mitchell totaling nine assists in the first two games as the Cavaliers went up 2-0.
In the four games since, Mitchell has not managed more than three assists in a game. But three of those four games were on the road, where role players are always more likely to struggle.
No, Mitchell is not a role player. No no. But his passes are usually to role players. If they make their shots, he notches more assists. At home, there is value in betting on that process.
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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