The Toronto Raptors (2-2) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2-2) will meet in Game 5 of their first-round NBA playoff series this Wednesday. Tipoff from Rocket Arena in Cleveland is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with the game airing live on ESPN.
The Cavaliers are 9.5-point favorites over the Raptors in Game 5 tonight, with the over/under set at 217.5 total points. Cleveland is a -405 moneyline favorite to win outright, while Toronto is +320 to pull off the road upset.
Let's dive into my Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks for Game 5 on Wednesday, April 29.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Prediction, Pick
- Raptors vs Cavaliers pick: Cavaliers -9.5 (-110)
My Cavaliers vs. Raptors Game 5 betting prediction is on Cleveland to cover the spread (-9.5). Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 5 Odds
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 217.5 -115o / -105u | +320 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 217.5 -115o / -105u | -405 |
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Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Preview
Cavaliers Betting Preview, Analysis
There’s one trend that has been screaming at us from the jump in this series: the home team has won and covered in all four games so far.
The Cavaliers handled business in Games 1 and 2, Toronto did the same in 3 and 4—and now we’re headed back to Cleveland for Game 5.
The total is sitting at 215.5, and honestly, there is another "under" that is blinking like a neon light in my face. These teams are grinding each other into the dirt.
I’m half-tempted to just parlay the Cavaliers spread with the under—either I’m seeing this whole series perfectly or I’m completely lost. But for my official play, I'm backing Cleveland -9.5.
Raptors Betting Preview, Analysis
Here is the truth about Game 4: Cleveland was cruising. They really were. If you look closely at the tape, the Cavs outplayed Toronto for about 90% of last game. But then, we got the typical James Harden meltdown that just cut them off at the knees.
Harden finished with seven turnovers in Game 4, and doing that in a place like Scotiabank Arena is a death sentence. I’ve heard guys all over the league that say there isn't a building in the NBA more deafening than that one in Toronto. It’s a hostile environment, and when you start coughing up the ball in a game played in the 80s—where every single possession feels like a heavyweight round—you’re asking for trouble.
The Cavs led by seven with just three minutes left to play in that game. They were in total control. Then, the wheels didn't just come off; the whole car broke down and went up into flames.
Cleveland scored exactly five points the rest of the way. That is very uncharacteristic of an offense this talented. The Cavs have Donovan Mitchell out there with Harden, and the team went a combined 2-of-9 from the field in the final three minutes.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Picks, Betting Predictions
When you dig into the box score, the regression signals ahead of Game 5 are all over the place.
The Cavs turned the ball over 18 times, and the Raptors were opportunistic enough to score 17 points off those mistakes. Then, you look at the charity stripe—Toronto finished +12 at the free-throw line in Game 4.
You combine a massive turnover disparity with a double-digit gap in free-throw attempts, and it’s a miracle the game was even as close as it was.
Coming back to Cleveland, I expect all of that to flip. The nerves that led to those 18 turnovers usually settle when you’re back in your own locker room. The officiating usually balances out—and that scoring drought? You aren’t going to see Mitchell and Harden go 2-of-9 in crunch time at home tonight.
The Cavaliers are the better team, they have the better depth, and they have the home-court hammer that has defined this series. This is a get-right spot for the Cavs' backcourt. I expect to see Cleveland pull away late in Game 5.
Toronto’s grit kept them alive at home, but I think the Raptors hit a wall tonight. Lay the points and watch the Cavs take control of this series.
Brandon Kravitz's Raptors vs Cavaliers Best Bet
- Cavaliers -9.5 (-110)
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Raptors vs Cavaliers Betting Trends
