In-form Toronto Raptors (40-32) host the Cleveland Cavaliers (41-32) on Thursday hoping to move a big step closer to a top-six seed, which would help them avoid the play-in tournament.
Bookmaker BetOnline regards the Raptors as slight favorites for the contest and has set the points line for the hosts at 109.5 points with the odds for both the over and under at -110. The line for Cleveland stands at 106 points.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 24th, 8:30 A.M. (EST)
Toronto had a miserable start to the season and it looked like it could be a pretty painful rebuilding process for the team, but they have been one of the best sides in the Eastern Conference since the turn of the year and should head into Thursday’s battle full of confidence.
Led by Pascal Siakam, the Raptors have put together a 25-15 record in 2022 and they have dropped just two of their last eight games. Their defense has improved massively and they are playing great team basketball at the minute.
Following a couple of very strong seasons, Siakam had a really slow start to the campaign, but he’s hit superb form ahead of the final stretch of the regular season, averaging 25.4 points per game for March with 7.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists. He’s been nailing over 42 percent of his three-point attempts this month and Cleveland will be in big trouble if they allow Siakam to get going early.
The Cavaliers have a perfect 3-0 record in the match-up this term, but they are in the midst of their worst run of the season ahead of Thursday’s action with 10 losses registered across their last 16 games.
Cleveland can’t seem to shake off injuries and their most recent blow came in the last meeting with the Raptors on March 6 when Jarrett Allen fractured his left middle finger.
Allen has formed a great front-court partnership with Evan Mobley, but the 20-year-old rookie will have to carry the flag on his own for the time being. Mobley has outstanding defensive instincts and will play a key role in stopping Siakam.
Offensively, the Cavaliers are heavily reliant on Darius Garland. The 22-year-old point guard is having a breakthrough campaign and has been particularly impressive since the All-Star break averaging 26.4 points and 11.5 assists. He just had a 29-17 game against LeBron James and the Lakers a couple of nights ago and after ending up on the losing side, Garland should be very determined to lead his side to victory on Thursday.
