Category: Today’s Picks

Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers

The first matchup in this year’s Eastern Conference playoffs sees fifth seed Toronto take on fourth seed Cleveland. Many will have their eyes on the outcome of this series to see whether the new look Cleveland back court of Donovan Mitchell & James Harden will elevate them to post-season success.

Since the arrival of James Harden on 4th February, Cleveland are 21-9 and have the second best win percentage in the East. Harden is averaging 20.5pts and 7.7 in Cleveland. But critics question his ability to get it done in the post season, as he has never won a championship. Similar, Donovan Mitchell has failed to reach a conference final. Will this year mark another glaring failure for both in their post season careers, or could they conquer the East together as a dynamic and electric back court partnership.

Standing in their way are the steady and consistent Toronto Raptors. Ball movement and consistent scoring from starters has been the key for the Raptors this season. They rank 3rd in the league for assists per game and have four players averaging close to 20pts per game. Leading the way for scoring has been Brandon Ingram, who averages 21.5pts and was an excellent acquisition from New Orleans. My concern for Toronto is the lack of scoring depth available to them from the bench.

Betting Markets:

  • Toronto Raptors ML (+380)/Cleveland Cavaliers ML (-400)
  • Toronto Raptors +8.5pts (-110)/Cleveland Cavaliers -8.5pts (-110)
  • Total points over 220.5 (-110)/Total points under 220.5 (-110)

Our Prediction:

I’d have big questions on whether Toronto can go punch to punch with this Cleveland side especially on the road. Toronto have a 2-16 record against the top 3 sides in each conference across the regular season. Cleveland did finish 4th, but have performed like an elite side since the acquisition of James Harden.

Injury Report:

Toronto Raptors: Immanuel Quickly (Questionable)

Cleveland Cavaliers: Thomas Bryant (Out), Tristan Enaruna (Out), Riley Minix (Out), Olivier Sarr (Out)

Houston Rockets vs Philadelphia 76ers

This will be the first of two road trips to strong Eastern Conference teams, the second being against number seed Detroit Pistons. Houston have struggled on the road (11-12) compared to an impressive (15-3) home record. They will also have to navigate tonight without Steven Adams in the backup centre position after he suffered an ankle sprain against New Orleans Pelicans. This will disrupt one of the core foundations of their success this season, rebounding. Houston lead the NBA with 49 rebounds per game. In their victory over San Antonio on Tuesday night, they were out rebounded by 45-43 which highlights the drop off.

Philadelphia has been up and down this season. They have an impressive roster on paper when everyone is available, but have struggled to find consistent rotations and have been plagued by injuries. Tyrese Maxey has been reliable for Philadelphia since the season tip off late October. He has played 40 out of 42 matches, averaging 30 points & 6.7 assists per game. But he has slowed down in his last 5 games, averaging just 23.6 points on 41% FG. Philadelphia rank in the top 10 for defensive rating in their last 15 matches, and they look well organised despite changing rotations.

Betting Markets:

  • Houston Rockets ML (-143)/Philadelphia 76ers ML (+110)
  • Houston Rockets -2.5 pts (-110)/Philadelphia 76ers +2.5 pts (-110)
  • Over 221.5 pts (-110)/Under 221.5 pts (-110)

Our Prediction:

Houston are on a 3 game winning run and Philadelphia’s home record is nothing to be feared at 11-12. A lot of tonight will depend on how well Houston can control the boards because they are likely to shut off Maxey’s free flowing scoring ability.

Recent Form:

Injury Report:

Houston Rockets: Fred VanVleet (Out), Steven Adams (Out), Aaron Holiday (Out)

Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid (Probable), Paul George (Questionable)

Indiana Pacers vs Charlotte Hornets

The Indiana Pacers (6-31) travel to the Spectrum Center to take on Charlotte Hornets (13-24) tonight at 7PM ET. Charlotte are priced as 4.5 pt favourites, which seems awfully low given Indiana are winless in 13 games.

Charlotte have been steadily improving this season and in the last 10 games have a +2.4 point net rating and rank 2nd for 3 point shooting (41.5%). They suffered a disappointing defeat to Toronto yesterday, blowing a double digit lead in the 2nd half. Immanuel Quickley hitting a last second buzzer beater to take the victory. It was a scrappy game, with both teams putting in high effort, but struggling from the field.

It has been quite the dramatic fall for last year’s NBA runners up Indiana. From being a game away from winning the title last season, they have the worst record this season. With 13 straight defeats and star player Tyrese Hailburton out for the season, there doesn’t seem to be much light at the end of the tunnel. Indiana rank 28th in offensive rating and 25th in defensive rating, it is difficult to find any particular metric they are performing well.

But with all that said, I believe Indiana will have the best player on the court tonight and that is veteran forward Pascal Siakam. He was electric in last year’s post season for Indiana, averaging 20.5 PPG. Almost all of the money is on Charlotte covering the spread tonight, but I don’t think that is a given if Pascal Siakam has a big scoring night and is supported by guards such as Nembhard and Nesmith.

Our Prediction:

Despite Charlotte being very strong against the spread on the second leg of back to back nights I saw enough against Toronto yesterday to feel concern for them. Scoring less than 100pts and recording 18 turnovers against Toronto.

As for Indiana, you’d expect to see some level of performance at some point and there have been tighter games in recent games such as Cleveland and Orlando.

Recent Form:

Betting Markets:

  • Indiana Pacers ML (+145)/Charlotte Hornets ML (-187)
  • Indiana Pacers +4.5 pts (-110)/Charlotte Hornets -4.5 pts (-110)
  • Over 232.5 pts (-110)/Under 232.5 pts (-110)

Injury Report:

Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton (Out), Obi Toppin (Out), Bennedict Mathurin (Out), Isaiah Jackson (Out)

Charlotte Hornets: Mason Plumlee (Out), Ryan Kalkbrenner (Out), Grant Williams (Out), Brandon Miller (Questionable)