The NBA playoffs are just around the corner, and in the first round we get an intriguing matchup between the #4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers and the #5 seed Toronto Raptors.
Cavaliers vs. Raptors Opening Odds
Looking at the odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, the Cavaliers are huge favorites to win the series at -900, while the Raptors are underdogs to advance at +600.
Cleveland finished the regular season with a 52-30 record. On the season, the Cavaliers had the sixth-best offense and the 15th-best defense. Last season, Cleveland had the best offense and the eighth-best defense. Cleveland dealt with a plethora of injuries, then made the huge trade to bring in James Harden for Darius Garland. Since the All-Star break, Cleveland was sixth in offense and 18th in defense.
Toronto went 46-36 during the regular season. The Raptors were 15th on offense and fifth-best in defensive rating. Last season, Toronto was a decrepit 26th in offensive rating and 15th in defensive rating. The acquisition of Brandon Ingram was a boon for the offense, as he played 76 games, the most since his rookie season, and averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 treys while shooting 47% from the field, 37% from downtown and 81% from the line.
Toronto won all three games against Cleveland this season, but all of those contests happened before Thanksgiving.
