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My favorite thing about betting on the NBA Playoffs is finding value in the game-to-game adjustments.
Players who may have served a minimal support role during the regular season suddenly become pillars of a series strategy. It can take our wagers to strange and unknown places, like Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade.
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Wade was in and out of Cleveland’s starting lineup but will be counted on heavily against the Toronto Raptors in Round 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Our Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions see Wade rising in the rotation, and my NBA picks like him to get after it on the glass in Game 1 on April 18.
Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 1 prediction
Raptors vs Cavaliers best bet: Dean Wade Over 3.5 Rebounds (-125)
Heading into this Round 1 series, the big question for Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson was how he would counter Toronto Raptors small forward Brandon Ingram.
According to what team analysts believe, Atkinson will go with size as his best option, rolling out 6-foot-9 forward Dean Wade alongside Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. This gives Cleveland a long and interchangeable defense-first lineup, with Wade able to counter Ingram’s perimeter play.
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Not only is Wade a great defender, but he’s also counted on to clean the glass. He’s averaged 4.3 rebounds since the All-Star break with 8.6 rebounding chances per contest. He’s collected at least four boards in 15 of his last 24 outings.
Wade averaged around 21 minutes per game but was limited at the end of the year after injuring his ankle. With time to heal and an increased role, his rebound rate will soar on Saturday.
Wade has logged 25 or more minutes in just 24 of his 59 games. But when he draws that floor time, he averages more than five rebounds and has snatched up four or more boards in 18 of those 24 showings.
The rebounding chances will be there, considering the Cavaliers can put this Toronto transition attack in sand and force the Raptors to play a half-court game. Cleveland gives up the sixth-lowest points per…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/raptors-vs-cavaliers-prediction-picks-130000114.html
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Publish date : 2026-04-18 02:29:00
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