Free NBA Pick
Cleveland Cavaliers (43-14) at Toronto Raptors (31-24) Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, 2/26/10, 7 PM
In what could be a possible playoff matchup this spring, a third team, the New York Knicks, might take some interest as well. The Knicks cleared enough salary cap space to be the only team able to sign two free agents at the maximum allowable salary. Chris Bosh and Lebron James, both free agents at the end of the year, would look pretty good together, at least to fans in Madison Square Garden.
All of this could be moot though, as Bosh has been forced to sit out of two games and missed practices with a sprained ankle.
This is the third matchup of the season between these two teams, and will serve as a grudge match of sorts as the teams have split the first two games. Each team defended its home court thus far. If that trend follows, the Raptors are in good shape to pick up a game on the Cavs, who are currently the tops see in the East. Toronto probably doesn't have much hope in catching the Cavs - they are 11 games back currently - but trail Atlanta, the fourth seed by just four games. Moving up one spot would give them home court advantage in the first round.
The Raptors have played well in February, led by Bosh (up until his injury), who is averaging 24.5 ppg and 11.4 rpg. The return of Reggie Evans has given them some front court help, but the drop in output because of the loss of Bosh will catch up with Toronto soon.
Cleveland snapped its three-game losing streak with a win over the Hornets, 105-95, on Tuesday. Playing the Raptors the night after beating the Celtics by 20 points will test the Cavs' conditioning, as fatigue could come into play, especially late. Newcomer Antawn Jamison seems to be settling in well after a poor first game. He has given his team another big man, along with Shaquille O'Neal to attack the paint. With another big-time scoring threat to go with James, the Cavs look to be in good shape for the stretch run.
If Bosh isn't 100%, this game should be over before it even starts.
Cleveland Betting Trends:
Cleveland is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games |
Cleveland is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games on the road |
Cleveland is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Toronto |
Cleveland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Toronto |
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 8 games when playing Toronto |
Cleveland is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Toronto |
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
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Toronto Betting Trends:
Toronto is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games |
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games |
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home |
Toronto is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games at home |
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto's last 9 games at home |
Toronto is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland |
Toronto is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland |
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing Cleveland |
Toronto is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Cleveland |
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland |
Pick: Toronto +6
Stats by Bodog.com
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