Toronto Raptors to beat Cleveland Cavaliers –

Game 1 of this series was a thriller, with the Cavaliers coming back from a 12-point deficit in the first quarter to win 113-112 in overtime.

Cleveland needed a monster game from LeBron James – who recorded a triple-double with 26 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds – to see off the Raptors, and the four-time MVP looks unstoppable at the moment.

It’s hard for one player to carry an entire team in the playoffs, though, and the more well-rounded Raptors should bounce back to even the series in Game 2.

Toronto won 34 games at home in the regular season – the joint-most of any team in the NBA – and beat Cleveland 133-99 in their only meeting on their own court. It’s unlikely they will lose a second successive home game on Thursday.

Boston Celtics to beat Philadelphia 76ers –

The Celtics have overcome several injuries to key players to come this far in the playoffs, and their supporting cast again came good in Game 1 on Monday night.

Terry Rozier, Jason Tatum and Al Horford combined for 83 points as Boston beat Philadelphia 117-101, and, perhaps more impressively, Horford managed to hold 76ers rookie Ben Simmons to just 18 points and six assists.

Few players have guarded Simmons so effectively this season, and the Celtics seem to have the formula to stop this young Philadelphia team.

Boston have won all five of their home games in the postseason, and they should maintain their 100 per cent record on Thursday night.

Click here to visit Betway's NBA betting page.