Expert Picks, Predictions & Odds for Raptors vs Cavs (Game 2)

• The Cleveland Cavaliers are 8.5-point favorites in Game 2 of their series with the Toronto Raptors
• Donovan Mitchell has scored at least 30 points in nine straight playoff games
• Read below for the latest Raptors vs Cavaliers odds and my expert prediction

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The Toronto Raptors (46-36, 22-19 away) had their first look at the Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, 27-14 home) since it acquired James Harden.

A blowout loss later in Game 1 of their opening round best-of-7 series, and Toronto needs to regroup for Game 2 on Monday night. The books are decidedly on the Cavs, picking them as heavy home favorites in the NBA odds.

Tip-off is scheduled Monday at 7pm ET at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, with the game being broadcast by Peacock and NBC Sports Network.

Raptors vs Cavaliers Odds

The graphic above shows the best available odds, which are subject to change.

After dominating Toronto in a 126-113 drubbing in Game 1, Cleveland is a hefty -340 favorite on the moneyline at DraftKings, and are favored by 8.5 points on the spread.

Toronto pulling off the upset offers nice +290 odds, and to stay within 8.5 points pays out at -110 odds, courtesy of bet365.

There are different totals to satisfy both sets of picks. Over bettors should head to DraftKings for a line of 222.5 points, while Under bettors should visit bet365, where they can get a full point, to 223.5. Both sides pay out at -110 odds.

Raptors vs Cavaliers Expert Picks & Prediction

• Pick: Raptors +8.5 (-110 at bet365)

The Raptors witnessed in real time why the Cavaliers are just a tier under the heavies, sitting fifth in the NBA Championship odds.

They’re going to have to find a way to not let the backcourt of Harden and Donovan Mitchell go off. Mitchell finished with 32 points on 11-for-20 shooting, marking the ninth straight playoff game he’s hit 30+.

The Beard, meanwhile, shredded the Raps for 22 points and 10 assists. As a team, Cleveland shot 54% from the field, including a crisp 16-for-32 from 3-point range, a 50% clip.

Toronto did a little too much overthinking in their Game 1 plans, with Brandon Ingram talking post game about being used as the screener to avoid getting double-teamed. The result of that plan: Ingram shot the ball nine times, just the third time this season he was held to single-digit shot attempts in a game he didn’t leave with injury.

Cleveland also controlled the pace, and held Toronto — the league leaders in fast-break points per game this season at 18.9 — to just three points in that stat box in Game 1. They also turned it over 18 times which led to 24 points. This is a team that ranked Top 8 in limiting turnovers in the regular season.

That limited the Raptors to just 71 field goal attempts in the game, a whopping 18 below the league average for attempts in a game this season, and 10 less than the Cavs attempted.

Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) missed Game 1 and he’s listed as a game-time decision for Monday.

Still, Toronto has now seen the new opponent, which looks far more dynamic than the one they swept beat all three times in the regular season, sans Harden. While they definitely need to be better defensively, Toronto shot 52% from the field and 48% from 3-point range, so they need to make some adjustments to get a split.

Cleveland isn’t exactly a great follow up team. They are 20-32-0 against the spread this year following a win, which ranks as the sixth-worst cover record in the NBA this season.

Toronto was 21-15 in the regular season coming off a loss.