NBA Basketball
2026-05-03 - Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball Playoffs First Round Game 7
Sunday 3rd May 2026 - Scheduled 7:30pm EST
12:30am (British Time)
Preview
The manner of the opening two defeats in this First Round Series suggested the higher Seeds were right in identifying the Toronto Raptors as one of the weaker teams that could be faced in the opening Playoff Series.
The Cleveland Cavaliers may certainly have believed that, but it is the Raptors who have won three of the next four games to force a Game 7.
They were without Brandon Ingram in Game 6, but that did not stop Toronto and they forced Overtime and ultimately outlasted Cleveland to hold serve and force this Game 7 on the road.
If they want to progress, the Raptors have to be the first in this Series to win a road game.
Confidence won't be an issue, even if Ingram is unable to suit up again, and the Toronto Raptors have to believe they have shown enough about how well they are matching up in the Series. They have fewer adjustments to make as we reach the decider in this Series and all of the pressure is on the Cleveland Cavaliers, which is something that the Raptors have to look to exploit.
After signing Donovan Mitchell to a big contract and then trading for James Harden, it is clear that the Cavaliers are all in on this season and losing in the First Round of the Playoffs will lead to massive questions to answer. Both players have had moments, but you can feel the pressure that is building on both and that is also leading to more pressure on the role players to step up.
Being at home should give the Cavaliers enough of an advantage to find a way through, but they are giving plenty of points to a team that have the momentum.
Like the other Game 7 being played on Sunday, the Cavaliers will know favourites have tended to win these deciders in First Round Series, but they are just 8-11-1 against the spread.
After the two opening 'blowouts', the Raptors have covered in the last four in a row and they can do that again in Game 7 even if they are ultimately eliminated.
Prediction
Take the points with the road underdog in this First Round Series deciding Game 7.
The Pick :
Cleveland Cavaliers 112-108 Toronto Raptors
