The Cavaliers are on the road to face the Toronto Raptors, with both team’s playing their first-game of the season. Tip-off for this season-opener, is set for 7:30 at Scotiabank Arena.
Cavaliers vs Raptors
The Cavaliers Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win
The Cavaliers enter the season ranked 6th in our power rankings, with a 96.4% chance of making the playoffs and a 53.9% chance of winning the Central Division. Last season, Cleveland finished 48-34, placing 2nd in the division and 4th in the Eastern Conference. They were 26-15 at home and 22-19 on the road.
Cleveland went 35-46 against the spread and had a 41-40-1 over/under record, with their games averaging 222.9 points. As the favorite, they were 37-16 but had a 24-28 ATS record. As the underdog, they went 11-18 in those matchups.
The Raptors Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win
Toronto finished last season with a 25-27 record, placing 12th in the Eastern Conference. They went 18-34 in conference play and 1-15 in divisional games, finishing 5th in the Atlantic Division. Heading into this season, the Raptors are ranked 24th in our power rankings, with a 9.8% chance of making the playoffs.
Against the spread, Toronto was 22-60, and they went 12-47 straight-up as the underdog. As the favorite, they posted a 13-10 record. At home, they had a -6.1 average scoring margin, going 12-29 ATS, and on the road, they went 10-31 ATS. Their games averaged 231.1 points per game, with an over/under record of 43-38-1.
Cavaliers Offense Breakdown
The Cavaliers enter the season ranked 12th in our offensive power rankings. Last season, they averaged 112.6 points per game, placing 20th in the league. Cleveland was 23rd in possessions per game (97.0) and 24th in field goal attempts per game (87.2), but they were efficient, shooting 47.9% from the field, good for 12th. They made 13.5 three-pointers per game, ranking 7th, on 36.8 attempts per game (8th), with a 36.7% success rate (15th).
Donovan Mitchell is projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 12th in our league-wide projections. Last season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. Jarrett Allen, who averaged 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds last year, is projected to be the 3rd-leading scorer for the Cavs. Max Strus is projected to be 3rd on the team in three-pointers made but will miss the season opener.
Raptors Offense Breakdown
The Raptors finished last season ranked 24th in our offensive power rankings, averaging 112.4 points per game (21st). They were 11th in possessions per game (99.4) and 10th in field goal attempts per game (89.7), shooting 47.1% (16th). Toronto struggled from beyond the arc, making 11.5 threes per game (26th) on 34.7% shooting (28th).
RJ Barrett, who averaged 20.2 points per game last season, is out for the opener but is projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 37th in the league. Scottie Barnes is projected 54th, and Immanuel Quickley is 55th. Quickley is also projected to lead the team in made threes, ranking 26th in the league.
Cavaliers Team Defense
Last season, the Cavaliers allowed 110.2 points per game, ranking 8th in the NBA, and we expect them to be among the league’s best defensive teams again, ranking 4th in our defensive power rankings. Donovan Mitchell is one of the top rebounders at his position, and Jarrett Allen remains a strong shot-blocker, with Evan Mobley also contributing in both areas.
Opponents shot 46.5% from the field against Cleveland last year, placing them 9th in field-goal percentage allowed. They were 20th in three-point defense, allowing 37%, but held opponents to 52.4% shooting inside the arc, ranking 5th in two-point defense.
Raptors Team Defense
The Cavaliers head into this season ranked 4th in our defensive power rankings, after allowing just 110.2 points per game last year, which was 8th in the NBA. Donovan Mitchell is one of the top rebounders at his position, and Jarrett Allen remains a strong presence inside, with Cleveland ranking 11th in defensive rebounding and 21st in blocked shots. Last year, they were 20th in steals, averaging 7.4 per game.
Opponents shot 46.5% from the field against the Cavaliers last season, placing them 9th in field-goal percentage allowed. They were 20th in three-point defense, allowing 37%, but held teams to 52.4% shooting inside the arc, ranking 5th in the NBA.
Cavaliers vs Raptors Trends
- When looking at their past ten road matchups, Cleveland has an ATS record of 4-6 while averaging 102 per game. The team went 2-8 overall in these games.
- When looking at their past ten home matchups, Toronto has an ATS record of 5-5 while averaging 105 per game. The team went 1-9 overall in these games.
- The last ten games that Toronto was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 3-7 while going 1-9 straight up.
- Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Cavaliers have a straight up record of 8-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 5-5.
Cavaliers vs Raptors Prediction
The Cavaliers is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 152-89. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Cavaliers at -6.5.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 224.5 and our model has the Cavaliers and Raptors finishing with a combined 241 points. Our pick is to take the over.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:October 23, 2024 Cavaliers, Raptors