The Cleveland Cavaliers (3-3) and Toronto Raptors (3-3) will square off in a winner-take-all Game 7 to close the first round of the NBA playoffs this Sunday. Tipoff from Rocket Arena in Cleveland is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with the game airing live on NBC and Peacock.
The Cavaliers are 8.5-point home favorites over the Raptors in Game 7, with the over/under set at 210.5 total points. Cleveland is a -310 moneyline favorite to win outright, while Toronto is +250 to pull off the road upset.
Let's break down my Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks for Game 7 on Sunday, May 3.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Prediction, Pick
- Raptors vs Cavaliers pick: Cavaliers -8.5 (-110)
My Cavaliers vs. Raptors Game 7 betting prediction is on Cleveland to cover the spread (-8.5). Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 7 Odds
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -110 | 210.5 -105o / -115u | +250 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -110 | 210.5 -105o / -115u | -310 |
If you want to trade on Raptors vs. Cavaliers Game 7 at Kalshi, sign up using our Kalshi promo code. This prediction market app is legal in most states and offers a variety of unique markets beyond the NBA.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Preview
Raptors Betting Preview, Analysis
The Raptors' Game 6 win was inspiring, awesome, the stuff of legends — but the magic has likely run out for Toronto.
Teams that trailed 3-2 and then forced a Game 7 are 11-28 SU and 19-20 ATS in series finales since 2003. That ATS number isn’t great, but teams that win as home favorites in this spot are 20-8 ATS. So, I expect Cleveland to win.
I originally bet the Raptors on the series spread and to win the series. I thought Toronto had a good chance of pushing Cleveland based on the matchup, and that has borne out.
However, the Cavaliers ultimately have a lot more weapons, and as much as Toronto has done to take them away, there have still been prime chances in the past two Raptors' wins for Cleveland to simply hold on — and they couldn’t, on the road.
Cavaliers Betting Preview, Analysis
Evan Mobley was phenomenal in Game 6 (26 points, 14 rebounds), and getting a good game out of him is meaningful, even in the loss.
The biggest problem for the Cavaliers was the bench, which has been good at home, awful on the road, and won't need to play as much in a Game 7.
Don’t get me wrong, trusting this Cavaliers team is harrowing, given how soft they’ve been in tandem with James Harden being their No. 2 guy — plus, Kenny Atkinson has not been good in the playoffs.
However, the Raptors are getting by with three-pointers from Ja’Kobe Walter, big games from rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, and random big moments from Jamison Battle. It’s very narrow without Brandon Ingram, who is questionable.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Picks, Betting Predictions
Cavaliers -8.5
This series is likely going chalk with the home team winning every game.
Home favorites that win Game 7s outright cover the spread by an average of 7.9 points per game.
I’ll trust the Cavs in Game 7 today, reluctantly.
Over 210.5
Unders are typically the way to go in Game 7s, but both potential scripts favor the over tonight.
If the Cavaliers win this game, and especially if they dominate, it’s because the Cavs’ offense gets back to work, hits shots, and Donovan Mitchell takes over, pushing the over up. There’s also a chance Cleveland gets to the line a lot, which is free points in dead time.
If the Raptors win, they likely are getting timely threes from a group that has struggled to shoot all year. If Toronto pulls off the upset, they likely put up points. Four of the last six games in this series have gone over the total.
Jarrett Allen Under 7.5 Rebounds
I tip my hat to Brandon Anderson for this find: Jarrett Allen has stayed under 7.5 rebounds in five of six games in this series.
Allen logged just 34 minutes in the last contest, and with his nagging injuries and the small-ball lineup the Raptors have been utilizing, his presence in this series has slowly diminished.
Dean Wade Over 0.5 Three-Pointers Made
I will also be betting on Dean Wade to make at least one three-pointer.
Wade has hit at least one three in every game in this series. He’s been terrific, and the Cavs keep sending him to the bench for inexplicable reasons.
He is reliable, and I expect him to get at least one three to drop in Game 7 tonight.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 7 Best Bets
- Cavaliers -8.5 (-110)
- Over 210.5 (-105)
- Jarrett Allen Under 7.5 Rebounds (-112)
- Dean Wade Over 0.5 Three-Pointers Made (-175)
For the latest on NBA injuries, be sure to check out our NBA Injury Report page.
