The first round of the NBA playoffs is heating up. Three Game 3 matchups are on the schedule for Thursday, with two series tied 1-1. Let's take a look at the matchups for our best NBA picks & predictions for Cavaliers vs. Raptors.
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Thursday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions: Cavaliers vs. Raptors
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors
How do the Raptors get back into this series and avoid the dreaded 0-3 hole against the Cavaliers? A way to start would be to slow the game down. These teams have averaged 98.5 possessions per game in each of the first two contests. This is advantageous for the Cavaliers, as their big men and slashing wings are getting efficient looks at the rim, which is the biggest defensive weakness for Toronto.
By slowing the game down, Toronto will limit possessions and not allow the Cavaliers to build up a big lead. The Raptors are also comfortable playing at a slower pace. They ranked 22nd in possessions per game during the regular season and had the longest average defensive possessions in the entire league.
Cleveland has been shooting over 50% from the floor this series, and with almost 99 possessions per game, they've scored 126 and 115 points, respectively, in the first two games. For Toronto to give itself a chance, it will need to slow things down and limit those opportunities. I'll be betting on this game plan and playing the under in Game 3.
Pick: Under 220.5 Points (-114)
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves
In Game 2 on Monday night in Denver, the Timberwolves delivered a strong performance in the fourth quarter to tie this series at a game apiece. It was a fantastic shooting performance with Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle and Bones Hyland combining to go 9-for-15 from deep. Denver led for the vast majority of the game, but a late flurry from Minnesota was the difference.
Despite the game being on the road, there is plenty of reason to believe the Nuggets will bounce back and regain home-court advantage on Thursday night. Even though Denver has been outshot in both games, they've managed to get to the free-throw line often, which has given them plenty of opportunities to score. We can expect this trend to continue since they ranked in the top four in free-throw rate during the regular season, and Minnesota was a team that fouled a lot.
The Denver offense against the Timberwolves’ defense is a strength-on-strength matchup. So far, the Nuggets’ offense has been the stronger unit, scoring 115 points per game. Minnesota needed a scorching shooting performance in Game 2 for a five-point win. Even though they're at home, Minnesota should cool down a bit, and the better team will show itself in Game 3.
Pick: Nuggets -1.5 (-115)
