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Barnes and the Raptors visit Cleveland to begin playoffs
TL;DR
The Toronto Raptors face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference playoffs, starting Saturday at 1 p.m. EDT. Cleveland is favored by 8.5 points, with an over/under of 219.5.
Key points
- Toronto Raptors are fifth in the Eastern Conference
- Cleveland Cavaliers are fourth in the Eastern Conference
- Game is part of the Eastern Conference first round
- Cavaliers are favored by 8.5 points
- Over/under for the game is 219.5
Toronto RaptorsCleveland CavaliersBrandon IngramDonovan Mitchell
Toronto Raptors (46-36, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference)
Cleveland; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT
LINE: Cavaliers -8.5; over/under is 219.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Cavaliers host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Toronto Raptors to open the Eastern Conference first round. Toronto went 3-0 against Cleveland during the regular season. The Raptors won the last regular season matchup 110-99 on Tuesday, Nov. 25 led by 37 points from Brandon Ingram, while Donovan Mitchell scored 17 points for the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers have gone 33-19 against Eastern Conference teams. Cleveland is seventh in the Eastern Conference in rebounding averaging 44.4 rebounds. Evan Mobley paces the Cavaliers with 9.0 boards.
The Raptors have gone 33-19 against Eastern Conference opponents. Toronto has a 21-27 record against teams above .500.
The Cavaliers are shooting 48.2% from the field this season, 1.5 percentage points higher than the 46.7% the Raptors allow to opponents. The Raptors are shooting 48.2% from the field, 1.8% higher than the 46.4% the Cavaliers' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell is averaging 27.9 points, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals for the Cavaliers. James Harden is averaging 15.3 points and 5.9 assists over the last 10 games.
Scottie Barnes is averaging 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Raptors. Ja'Kobe Walter is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 7-3, averaging 121.8 points, 45.0 rebounds, 29.1 assists, 7.6 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.0 points per game.
Raptors: 6-4, averaging 119.8 points, 41.0 rebounds, 32.3 assists, 10.0 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 52.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.6 points.
INJURIES: Cavaliers: James Harden: day to day (rest), : day to day (ankle), : day to day (rest), Evan Mobley: day to day (calf), : day to day (knee), : day to day (injury management), : day to day (calf), : day to day (hamstring), Donovan Mitchell: day to day (ankle).
Q&A
What time does the Raptors vs Cavaliers playoff game start?
The Raptors vs Cavaliers playoff game starts at 1 p.m. EDT on Saturday.
What was the Raptors' record against the Cavaliers during the regular season?
The Raptors had a perfect 3-0 record against the Cavaliers during the regular season.
Who were the standout players in the last regular season matchup between the Raptors and Cavaliers?
Brandon Ingram scored 37 points for the Raptors, while Donovan Mitchell scored 17 points for the Cavaliers in their last regular season matchup.
