Can The Toronto Raptors Beat The Cleveland Cavaliers? Prediction, Betting Odds For Game 2

The Toronto Raptors looked completely overmatched against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their second-round playoff series opener, losing 116-105. If the East’s No.3 seed gives the same effort Wednesday night, they have no chance to win Game 2 at Quicken Loans Arena.

As odds-on favorites to reach the 2017 NBA Finals, the Cavs did what was expected of them. They are favored to take a 2-0 series lead with the Game 2 betting line set at 7.5 points, via OddsShark. The over/under is 214.

Dating back to last year, Toronto hasn’t even been able to be competitive in road playoff games against the Cavs. Playing three times in Cleveland in the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals, the Raptors lost by 31 points, 19 points and 38 points.

Toronto shooting guard DeMar DeRozan believes the team’s past struggles can help them steal a game in Cleveland this time around.

“The way we lost last year, it hit a lot harder,” DeRozan told reporters after Game 1. “This time around, we have kind of that confidence and understanding of how to get back on our feet. We’ve been here before and we know what it takes, especially after Game 1, being down with our foot in a hole, so we’ve got to go out there and leave it out there.”

If the Raptors hope to upset the Cavs, they’ll have to do so in a high-scoring affair, keeping pace with Cleveland’s high-powered offense. The Cavs have scored at least 106 points in all five of their 2017 playoff games, averaging 114 points on their home court.

LeBron James continues to put up eye-popping numbers. After nearly averaging a triple-double in a first-round sweep against the Indiana Pacers, the NBA’s best player dropped 35 points and 10 rebounds in the series opener. He created countless open looks for his teammates, and Cleveland made 14 three-pointers, shooting 41.2 percent from behind the arc.

Kyrie Irving scored 24 points and dished out 10 assists. Cleveland outscored Toronto by 29 points when Kevin Love was on the floor.

The Raptors need a big performance from their All-Star backcourt. They might not be able to slow down James and the Cavaliers’ offense, but they’ve got a chance to put up impressive numbers against a defense that’s struggled since the midway point of the season.

Despite giving up 105 points, Cleveland’s defense was effective in Game 1, double-teaming DeRozan and making sure he couldn’t find a rhythm. The Cavs had eight steals and outscored Toronto by 32 points when DeRozan was on the court.

Kyle Lowry struggled mightily in last year’s playoff series against Cleveland, and he’s had a tendency to disappear in some playoff games. He got off to a good start with 20 points and 11 assists Monday night, but he’ll need to win the point guard battle against Irving in order for the Raptors to have a chance.

Until the Raptors prove that they can hang with the Cavaliers in Cleveland, it doesn’t make much sense to pick them to win. Wednesday’s game could be another ugly loss for Toronto.

Prediction: Cleveland over Toronto, 120-103