Cleveland Cavaliers (0-0) vs. Toronto Raptors (0-0)
October 23, 2024 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Toronto Raptors +6.5; Over/Under: +224.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Scotiabank Arena. Here’s a Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cavaliers play the Pistons and Wizards next. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 48 games last season and entered the Kenny Atkinson era. The Cavs have an intriguing starting five with Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. There’s also an upside with that group, given the youth in some of those players. Caris LeVert and Isaac Okra are also decent bench options. At times last year, the Cavs looked like a legit NBA Finals contender, and they had moments in a playoff series against the Celtics.
It doesn’t feel like the Cavaliers are that far away from making a push toward something special. It looks like the Cavaliers have finally figured things out post-LeBron James. The Cavs have won 44 or more games in 7 of the last 10 seasons.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
The Raptors play the 76ers and Timberwolves next. The Toronto Raptors have missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and enter the second year under coach Darko Rajakovic. On paper the Raptors aren’t completely terrible, as Scottie Barnes is an All-Star caliber player, Immanuel Quickley is a young playmaking guard and RJ Barrett has shown flashes of being a reliable serviceable forward with scoring ability. You can work with that trio. The question is everybody around them, as there are no real standouts and most of this roster was banged up last year. The Raptors need better injury luck if this season is going to be better than the last, as nearly the entire roster missed considerable time.
The Raptors haven’t missed the playoffs in three straight seasons since 2012-13. The Raptors haven’t gone back-to-back seasons with less than 30 wins since the 2011-12 season. The Canadians deserve better.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction Injury Report
The Cavs will be without Max Strus due to an ankle injury. The Raptors have Bruce Brown, Ja’Kobe Walter, Chris Boucher, and RJ Barrett on their injury report.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The favorites have won each of the Raptors’ last 15 games at Scotiabank Arena.
- The Raptors have lost each of their last 15 games as home underdogs.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 11 games as home underdogs.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Raptors’ last 10 games at Scotiabank Arena.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Raptors’ last five home games has gone OVER the total points line.
- Twelve of the Cavaliers’ last 15 games as favorites have gone OVER the total points line.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
I’m not a fan of laying big chalk this early in the season, especially on the road, but the Raptors are still going through a rebuilding stage and are as injured as any team in the league. Seeing Barrett and Brown on the injury report isn’t ideal. The Raptors can’t afford to be without rotation players if they’re going to compete. There’s not a lot of talent in the first place. On paper, the Cavs should make light work of a banged-up Raptors team. I’ll lay the points.
