Bet the Cleveland vs Toronto Eastern Conference Showdown

The Toronto Raptors host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night in NBA action. The Raptors (38-18) are in first place in the Atlantic Division and are coming off a 114-105 thumping of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Cavaliers (41-15) are in first place in the Central Division and just knocked off Charlotte, 114-103. Check out the updated NBA betting picks for this game.

Bet the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors Eastern Conference Showdown

When: Friday, February 26, 2016, 7:30 PM ET Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON TV: FSOH Radio: Cleveland Cavaliers Radio Network Live Stream: NBA Live NBA Odds: TBA    

Why should you bet on the Cavaliers?

The Cavaliers have been really up and down as of late. They throttled the Thunder in Oklahoma City and then turned around and got drilled by Detroit, of all teams, as the Pistons held LeBron James to 12 points. Then they came home and smacked the Hornets around, putting up 40 points in the second period alone and going up by as many as 24 points in that game. The Raptors are not the Hornets or the Pistons, though, and this game is taking place in Toronto, a place that is becoming more raucous as the home team improves. Toronto is a legitimate threat to get past Cleveland in the playoffs, so this game is a major test. The Cavs have the talent to win this, if they can play with leadership and discipline.

Why should you put your money on Toronto?

The Raptors have earned legitimate consideration as a contender in the East this year — and they have won nine home games in a row. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, the team’s two All-Stars, scored 20 of the 27 points that the Raptors posted in the fourth period against Minnesota, a quarter in which the Timberwolves only went 8 for 21 (38 percent) after shooting 55 percent during the first three quarters. The last time they won nine straight at home was back in 1999, and a win over the Cavaliers would break the franchise record. The Raptors have a deep bench — their reserves outscored the Minnesota bench 40-25, and their bench is arguably deeper than Cleveland’s as well.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I think that Toronto will have what it takes, with their strong inside game, to take this game to the Cavaliers. I’m picking the Raptors, 104-101.