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Opening round series can often be duds in the NBA Playoffs. This Round 1 pairing of the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers can be something better.
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Game 1 of what should be a very tight series tips off in Cleveland on Saturday, and I’ve got a same-game parlay that draws options from interesting situations and circumstances for both teams.
Here are my best Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks on April 18.
Our best Raptors vs Cavaliers SGP for Game 1
The Cleveland Cavaliers draw first blood at home against a Toronto Raptors team that has been cursed in the opening contest of the playoff series. The Raptors are 4-12 SU in Game 1 outings since 2014. Cleveland has the inside-out scoring and tightens the bolts on defense when it has to.
Not all fans may be familiar with the Cavaliers’ Dean Wade. However, the 6-foot-9 forward plays an important role in how Cleveland will defend Toronto. He’s expected to jump into the starting lineup and log more minutes than his standard 21 per game.
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When Wade gets 25+ minutes of floor time, his rebounding rate soars over five boards per game.
Scottie Barnes will draw plenty of touches for Toronto, especially if point guard Immanuel Quickley is limited (questionable). When he went down in March, Barnes became the Raptors’ primary ball handler, and his assist production spiked.
He’s dished out seven or more dimes in eight of his past dozen outings.
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