It's an epic day in the NBA, with two Game 7s scheduled, as the Raptors head to Cleveland and the Pistons host the Magic
Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram is listed as questionable this morning for tonight’s Game 7 in Toronto’s NBA series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
That could change as the day plays out. How much an Ingram return impacts the betting lines is another question.
Ingram is out with a heel injury, but even as part of the starting lineup wasn’t impacting the series that much – averaging 12 points, with a 32.8 FG%. That from a guy who has two years left on his contract, at $80 million.
Scottie Barnes, averaging 24.2 points in the series, and RJ Barrett, averaging 24.3 points – led by the game-winning shot in overtime in Friday’s 112-110, bouncing off the rim, that sent the Scotiabank Centre into pandemonium – have driven the Raptors’ offence in these series. Barness has officially arrived as a star in the NBA.
That, and the emergence of first-round picks Collin Murray-Boyles and Ja’Kobe Walter, is why we are going into Game 7.
Murray-Boyles finished with 17 points in 40 minutes off the bench, leading all reserves, on Friday night. Barrett, Barnes, and Walter combined to score 73 of Toronto’s 112 points on Friday.
In today’s second Game 7, the Detroit Pistons can come back from a 3-1 deficit, heavy betting favourites at home against the Orlando Magic.
BEST BETS
NBA
Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons, 3:30 p.m. EST, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Series tied 3-3
Under 202.5 (-115)
Looking at NBA betting odds on Betway this morning, Pistons are -330 Moneyline favourites, with the Magic at +275. Against the spread: Detroit -8.5 (-115), Orlando +8.5 (-105). Over/Under is 202.5 (Over -105, Under -115).
A quick scan of the NBA injury report at 8:30 a.m. this morning – Kevin Huerter is questionable for the Pistons, with a left adductor issue, while Jonathan Isaac is doubtful (knee sprain) and Franz Wagner is out (calf strain) for the Magic.
The Pistons roared back from being down 24 points in Game 6 in Orlando, to win 93-79, outscoring the Magic 31-8 in the fourth quarter. That was a major fumble by Orlando in the fourth – missing 23 shots in a row – 35% from the field and just 25% 3PT overall.
This one is going to be another slog, especially with Wagner out of the lineup, in a series that’s been low scoring. Unders have hit consistently – four times over the six games.
Another pick – Pistons’ Cade Cunningham Over 44.5 points + rebounds+ assists (-125). He’s going to get massive court time tonight and has delivered huge in the series – 32 points in Game 6, averaging 45.3 PRA over the series.
NBA
Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m. EST, Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Series tied 3-3
Toronto Raptors ATS +7.5 (-105)
At Betway, Cavaliers are -300 Moneyline favourites, with the Raptors at +240. Against the spread: Cleveland -7.5 (-115), Toronto +7.5 (-105). Over/Under is 211.5 (Over -105, Under -115).
The Cavs on home court for Game 7 is a tall order – every game has been won by the home team – but the Raptors have covered the spread in each of the last four games in the series.
Barnes is a bulldog and just won’t go away. He is representative of the team overall. The Raptors were a top NBA defensive team all season, and have excelled at generating possessions off turnovers, then converting those.
Still, James Harden and Donovan Mitchell are different players on home court – 51.3 combined points at home, compared to 37.4 points on the road. And it feels like Mitchell is due for a big game.
We’ll follow the Ingram story throughout the day (Sportsnet reported that Ingram was in a walking boot Friday), and PG Immanuel Quickley has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
No injuries to report for the Cavaliers.
I am also looking at Barnes, taking the Over on total assists 7.5 (-145). Barnes has been dialed in as a facilitator over the series – seven assists in Game 1, five in Game 2, 11 in Game 3, six in Game 4, 11 in Game 5, 14 in Game 6.
