NBA Basketball
2026-04-20 - Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball Playoffs First Round Game 2
Monday 20th April 2026 - Scheduled 7pm EST
12am (British Time)
Preview
There would have been a lot of fans who believed the Toronto Raptors were one of the weaker teams going into the First Round of the Playoffs without the need of featuring in the Play In Tournament. Nothing we saw from Game 1 would have changed that narrative as the Raptors were beaten by 13 points at the home of the Cleveland Cavaliers and even that margin of victory does not paint the full picture.
The game was a blowout by the end of the Third Quarter and that means the Cleveland starters have all been given a bit more rest in that Game 1 victory, which should suit going into the Monday Game 2.
All of the adjustments have to be made by the Toronto Raptors who do not have the deepest of rosters when it comes to experiences of the Playoffs- they will hope the Fourth Quarter momentum gives them a chance to build, but the Cleveland Cavaliers will not have been too concerned about that.
Cleveland will look to come out and win the battle on the boards, while the efficiency of the shooting can only offer the Number 4 Seed confidence,
The Raptors did have their own successes from three point range, but teams who have shot well from that distance and still lost have had a tough time bouncing back in the next game of First Round Series in recent years.
There is also the additional challenge of trying to bounce back from a big loss- teams who have lost by at least 12 points in the First Round of the Playoffs have struggled to an 81-111-2 record against the spread in their next game over the last thirteen years.
Adjustments will be made, but the Raptors look short of the qualities of the Cleveland Cavaliers who can back up recent successes that home teams have had in Game 2 of the First Round Series.
Toronto did win the last three regular season games between these teams, but Game 1 is a reminder of the difference and the Cavaliers can cover the same line set for this Game 2
Big favourites have continued to work through the spread, and the home team can take complete control of this Series before heading to Canada for two games.
Prediction
Lay the points with the higher Seed in their bid to move into a 2-0 lead in this First Round Series.
The Pick :
Cleveland Cavaliers 118-108 Toronto Raptors
