Predictions, Injury Reports & Best Bets for Raptors vs Cavs (Game 7)

• The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers battle in Game 7 for a trip to Round 2
• The home team has won every game in this series
• Read below for the latest Raptors vs Cavaliers odds, best bets, an injury update and my expert prediction

It took a miracle 3-pointer from RJ Barrett, but now the Toronto Raptors have forced a winner-take-all Game 7 back at Cleveland against the Cavaliers.

Despite the setback, the books like the Cavaliers to figure it out on their home court, picking them as heavy home favorites in the NBA odds. Home has been the sanctuary for both sides, as no team has been able to win on the road the entire series.

Tip-off is scheduled tonight at 7:30pm ET from Rocket Arena in Cleveland, with NBC and Peacock broadcasting nationally.

Read below as I share my Raptors vs Cavaliers prediction, best bets an injury report and updated odds for Game 7.

Raptors vs Cavaliers Prediction and Best Bets

Being at home is usually a major advantage in a Game 7, with 115 of 155 Game 7s in NBA playoff history going to the home side, a crisp .742 winning clip.

And in this case, the data paints a highly favorable picture for the home squad. The Cavaliers are 4-1-0 against the spread at home over their last five games, proving they consistently take care of business at Rocket Arena.

They boast a formidable 14-4 (.778) straight-up mark as a favorite over their last 18 outings.

Conversely, the situational spot looks dreadful for the visitors. Toronto is just 1-6-0 (.143) against the spread on the road against opponents with a winning record over its last seven games, and a dismal 4-14 (.222) as an underdog over its last 18 games overall.

But this is not the same Raptors team that was blown out in Games 1 and 2 at Rocket Arena. The Raptors have found a formula to compete with Cleveland, and Toronto has covered the spread on each of the last four games, including Game 5 in Cleveland, where they covered as 10.5 point ‘dogs, losing 125-120.

Both James Harden (19.0) and Donovan Mitchell (19.5) are averaging less than 20 points per game in the last four games.

I don’t know if the Raptors can finally break through for a victory in Cleveland, as they’re 0-11 lifetime in the Cavs’ gym all time, but this is an extremely generous line for a game I am convinced goes down to the wire.

Total Pick: Over 210.5 points (-115 at DraftKings): You might expect a slow-paced, half-court slugfest in a Game 7. However, recent trends point toward the over. The over has hit in three of last four Cavaliers-Raptors games in this series. Games do tend to slow down in the fourth quarter as possessions get tighter, but there should be plenty of offense before we get to the fourth quarter.

Best Prop Pick: Mitchell Under 25.5 points (-120 at DraftKings): Mitchell took a long time to get revved up in Game 6 — which may have to do with an injury he’s not disclosing (more on that below) — but his 24 points weren’t enough for Cleveland to come back. Even if he hits first and faster in Game 7, he laboured through much of last game to get to the finish line.

Raptors vs Cavaliers Injury Report

There is nothing on the Cavaliers’ injury report, but you’re kidding yourself if you don’t think Mitchell is hobbled. He ran with a noticeable limp, and settled for mostly pull ups in the lane as he could rarely turn the corner. The short turnaround doesn’t help, and it’s part of the reason I went Under his scoring total.

For the Raptors, Brandon Ingram (heel) is listed as questionable for Game 7. He has been far from himself in the series, averaging 12 points on 32.8% shooting through five games. Without him, Toronto’s offense died in the half court in the second half and OT in Game 6, relying on a gassed Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett seeing Cleveland’s top defenders.

Raptors vs Cavaliers Odds and Betting Splits

The graphic above shows the best available odds, which are subject to change

The Raptors are distant underdogs on the moneyline, getting juicy +265 odds from bet365, while it’s a very short -300 for Cleveland to win outright over at BetMGM.

Cleveland is giving 8.5 points at FanDuel, and a cover pays out at -102 odds. Toronto is getting the 8.5-points, with a payout of -110 odds.

Over bettors should head to FanDuel, where you can grab to total at 210.5 points, while a trip to DraftKings would be beneficial to Under bettors, where you can get a full point more at 211.5 points.

As for the NBA public betting splits, it’s a split down mainstreet for the outright winner, with 50% of the money both on the Raptors and Cavs, The underdog Raptors are getting bigger wagers, though, as they are getting only 35% of the bets.

The public is big on taking Toronto with those 8.5 points, with 65% of the bets and 67% of the money on the visitors.

There’s not doubt on what the total the public wants, hammering the Over, with 86% of the money and 83% of the bets on the 210.5 point line.