Kicking off today’s four-game NBA slate, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be facing off with the Toronto Raptors. Cleveland took the opening two games of the series, but the Raptors picked up a victory in the first game played in Toronto. They will now look to even the season series in the second home matchup.

You can check out the full preview and prediction for the series on DraftKings Network here.

Looking at the odds for Game 4, the Cavaliers enter as a 3.5-point favorite and hold -170 odds of winning outright on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Raptors hold +142 odds of winning outright with the game total set at 219.5.

Cavaliers vs. Raptors preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off back-to-back seasons with second-round playoff exits and shook up the core by bringing in James Harden midseason. They finished the season 52-30, including 19-7 following Harden’s addition, and secured the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland went 33-49 against the spread, and the game total has gone 40-42 to the over/under in the regular season.

Even following Harden’s addition, Donovan Mitchell still headlines the production for Cleveland. The seven-time All-Star posted averages of 27.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds across the regular season. Harden added 20.5 points and 7.7 assists across his 26 games in Cleveland, while Evan Mobley posted averages of 18.2 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Jarrett Allen, Max Strus, Jaylon Tyson, and Dean Wade also play notable roles.

As a team, the Cavaliers scored 119.5 points per game across the regular season, which ranked fourth in the NBA. Cleveland also ranks sixth in offensive rating, eighth in field goal percentage, and 13th in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents have scored 115.4 points per game against the Cavaliers, which ranks 15th. They also rank 15th in defensive rating, eighth in opponents’ field goal percentage, and 26th in opponents’ three-point percentage.

The Toronto Raptors were one of the more positive surprises in the NBA this season, as the youthful roster took a significant stride forward in their production, and the results have shown. They finished the regular season with a 46-36 overall record to earn the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. On the season, Toronto has gone 42-40 against the spread, and the game total remained under in 50 of their 82 games played.

Immanuel Quickley will miss the Game 4 matchup today with a right hamstring strain. Scottie Barnes sets the tone for this Raptors team and has impressed in the postseason. He averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists across the regular season and has seen these averages grow to 26.7 points, 7.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds across the first three postseason games. Brandon Ingram was the team’s leading scoring option across the regular season with averages of 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, while RJ Barrett adds 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists this season. Collin Murray-Boyles, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jakob Poeltl, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Jamal Shead also play notable roles. 

Darko Rajakovic’s squad averaged 114.6 points per game across the regular season, which ranks 21st in the NBA. The Raptors also rank 15th in offensive rating, seventh in field-goal percentage, and 21st in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 111.8 points per game against Toronto, which ranks eighth in the NBA. Toronto also ranks fifth in defensive rating, 10th in opponents’ field-goal percentage, and fourth in opponents’ three-point percentage.

Series Takeaways

The Cavaliers tallied a convincing 126-113 win in the opening matchup of the series. Cleveland broke the game open in the third quarter by outscoring them 36-22 in the period as Mitchell led the charge with 32 points. This was despite the Raptors shooting 52% from the floor and 48% from beyond the three-point arc. The Cavaliers covered the 8.5-point spread, and the game total went over the 221.5 number.

In Game 2, Toronto fell 115-105 in a game that the Cavaliers led from wire-to-wire. The matchup remained competitive, with the lead never extending beyond 16, but the Raptors were never able to flip the script and take control. Brandon Ingram struggled greatly, finishing with seven points on 3-for-15 shooting, and Toronto shot just 27% from the perimeter. On the other side, Harden, Mitchell, and Mobley each scored 25+ points. Cleveland covered the 9.5-point spread, and the game total remained under the 221.5 line.

Toronto was able to pull off a win in Game 3 in their first matchup in front of the home crowd by a score of 126-104. The Raptors led for 80% of the matchup and stretched this to as large as 25. They shot an impressive 57% from the field and 61% on three-point attempts, with Scottie Barnes leading the charge with his 33 points and 11 assists. No member of the Cavaliers’ starting lineup was able to crack 18 points. Toronto won outright as 2.5-point underdogs, and the game total went over the 221.5 line.

Cavaliers vs. Raptors Game 4 prediction, pick

There is more top-end talent on this Cavaliers team, but there continue to be some growing pains with the change in style brought on by James Harden’s arrival. He has done a nice job of balancing scoring and playmaking and has been willing to defer to Donovan Mitchell in the flow of the offense when it is appropriate. When the Cavaliers’ defense is clicking on all cylinders, it is one of the best in the NBA.

However, the Raptors possess a clearer identity and are the better defensive team. They have done a nice job limiting the impact of the size advantage of Cleveland’s front court. Toronto has switchable defenders all over the floor and is a dangerous transition team. They forced 22 turnovers in the previous game and produced 23 points off these opportunities. It is noteworthy that Immanuel Quickley remains sidelined, but this further forces their hand to lean on the defensive identity.

The Raptors defended their home court in the previous game and expect the same tonight. Toronto has exceeded expectations all season and don’t expect them to stop now. This is a prideful roster that will not let its defensive level slip, and the fast break chances will keep them in the game throughout. Cleveland has gone just 17-25 against the spread when playing on the road this season. With the Cavaliers having some inconsistent shooting and defensive issues, expect the foundation of Toronto’s defense to be the difference in this game. Back the Raptors to even up the series and pick up the Game 4 victory in what will be a thrilling playoff atmosphere. 

Best Bet: Raptors Moneyline (+142)