Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction 5/3/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers duke it out in a dramatic Game 7 of the 1st Round at the Rocket Arena on Sunday night. Here’s a Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Pick.

Toronto Raptors Betting Preview 

The Toronto Raptors needed to respond after coming up short to the Cavaliers in Game 5 and they were able to stave off elimination with a 112-110 overtime win in Game 6 on Friday. Scottie Barnes led the team with 25 points, seven rebounds and 14 assists on 11 of 21 shooting; RJ Barrett added 24 points with nine rebounds and three assists; Ja’Kobe Walter added 24 points with three steals while Collin Murray-Boyles provided the spark off the bench with 17 points, two steals and three blocks.

As a team, the Raptors shot 46 percent from the field and 13 of 36 from the 3-point line as they got off to a solid start and looked to be in full control after taking a 16-point lead late in the third quarter. However, the Raptors allowed the Cavaliers back into the contest and trailed by one point in the final possession before Barrett got the lucky bounce on a 3-pointer to steal the win for the Raptors with just 1.2 seconds left on the clock. 

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be kicking themselves after missing out on a crucial chance to close out the series in Game 6 on Friday. Evan Mobley led the team in scoring with 26 points and 14 rebounds on nine of 15 shooting; Donovan Mitchell added 24 points on 11 of 26 shooting, while James Harden tallied 16 points with nine rebounds and nine assists.

As a team, the Cavaliers shot 43 percent from the field and just 11 of 41 from the 3-point line as they got off to a slow start and scored just 19 points in the second quarter to trail by as many as 16 points before they restricted the Raptors to just 12 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime. The Cavaliers scored just six points in overtime but held the lead with just seconds left on the clock before getting their hearts broken at the buzzer. 

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won each of their 10 previous playoff home games against the Raptors.
• The Raptors have lost each of their last eight road games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The home team has covered the spread in eight of the Cavaliers’ last nine games.
• The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six Sunday night games at Rocket Arena.

Why the Toronto Raptors will win

• The Cavaliers have lost three of their last four playoff games as favorites.
• The Raptors have won four of their last five games against Central Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight Sunday games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The Raptors have covered the spread in each of their last four games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Raptors’ last seven Sunday road games has gone UNDER the total points line.
• Six of the Cavaliers’ last seven Eastern Conference First Round home games have gone OVER the total points line.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts

• Evan Mobley ranks 4th amongst qualified players for blocks per game (1.7) this season.
• Donovan Mitchell is one of only four players in the league to have made 7+ threes in consecutive games this season.

Toronto Raptors Player Facts

• Sandro Mamukelashvili ranks 3rd amongst qualified Centers for 3P% (38.9%) this season.
• Ja’Kobe Walter ranks 19th amongst qualified players for 3P% (40.9%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (62.2%).
• The Cavaliers are one of only two teams to win 12+ games when trailing after Q3 this season.
• The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points per game (18.9) this season.
• The Raptors rank 2nd in the league for opponent assists per game this season (24.5).

Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction

The Raptors are still missing Immanuel Quickley and they are keeping an eye on Brandon Ingram, who is a game-time decision, while the Cavaliers are entering with a full squad once again. The Raptors have been able to win all their home games to force a series decider, but they’ve yet to steal a home game this series despite coming close in Game 5, where they lost by just five points.

The Cavaliers will be so annoyed with themselves, as they will know that they should already be done with this series, but you work hard during the regular season to have home-court advantage in these games. The Cavaliers’ role players will step up in this one, so I will stick with the Cavaliers to get the win, but the early money has been on the Raptors, which is why the line has already shortened by one point and I have to agree, as I think this one goes down to the wire again.

Peter Tran's Pick: Toronto +7.5