Cavs vs Raptors: Previewing an injury-riddled affair

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be back to full strength soon. That’s the truth they have to cling to during this stretch of missing half their roster (and three starters) to health and safety protocols. They lost in Boston this past week to break a six-game winning streak, missing too many players to keep up.

The return of their roster is coming soon, but it’s not here yet. They will play the Toronto Raptors on Sunday missing at least eight players, with Isaac Okoro possibly making it back but Cedi Osman being the latest to hit the protocols. It will be yet another difficult test for the newly-extended J.B. Bickerstaff. What does the matchup look like heading into the game?

Note: We are writing this preview as if both teams will suit up in their short-handed state. Even one more positive test for Toronto and this game could easily be canceled or postponed.

The Cavs host the Toronto Raptors Sunday night with both rosters depleted. What do you need to know about who is playing and what to expect?

The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated December before the outbreak hit, going 8-2 and looking like a legitimate contender to secure home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference. That is still in reach over the rest of the season, but for now they have to lean on two-way and hardship signings to survive the next game or two.

The Toronto Raptors are not in better shape. The Raptors will be down as many as 11 players on Sunday, including their entire starting lineup. That includes Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley’s competition for Rookie of the Year; seeing Barnes and Mobley match up again would have been a treat. Instead, these two cobbled-together rosters will limp through the game, with their eyes focused ahead on healthier days to come.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors: Odds, spread, over/under

The Cavaliers (19-13) will host the Toronto Raptors (14-15) tonight. Our partners over at WynnBet have chosen not to list the game because of the sheer volume and quality of the absences. How the game could turn out is a true toss-up given we have never seen these combinations of players.

Both teams will at least be well-rested after having Christmas Day off. The Cavs last played on Wednesday night, while the Raptors have not played since last weekend as their Wednesday game was canceled due to the outbreak that has decimated their roster.

Cavs vs Raptors: Projected starting lineups, injury report

Toronto starters: Dalano Banton, Svi Mykhailuk, Yuta Watanabe, Juwan Morgan, Chris Boucher (but your guess is as good as mine)

Cavs: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Lauri Markkanen, Tacko Fall

The Raptors” key injuries: Goran Dragic (out, personal); Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., Malachi Flynn, Scottie Barnes, Isaac Bonga, Khem Birch, Justin Champagnie (out, health and safety protocols); David Johnson (out, calf)

The Cavaliers’ key injuries: Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Cedi Osman, Ed Davis, Dylan Windler, RJ Nembhard, Lamar Stevens, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley (out, health and safety protocols); Isaac Okoro (questionable, health and safety protocols)

Cavs vs Raptors: Prediction

The Toronto Raptors will literally be meeting players in Cleveland in order to have the minimum eight players available for the game. It’s pointless to guess how they will perform together. Yet however you slice it, they are down eight of their top nine players.

The Cavs have been hit hard, but not as hard as that. Just as the Boston Celtics were short-handed on Wednesday but with more of their key players available than Cleveland, the Cavs have enough key rotation players to be a significant favorite even though they are down two of their three best.

Darius Garland should rule the court, and between he and Ricky Rubio the Cavs will have a steady hand running the show at all times. Kevin Love will be a key offensive engine when Garland sits, but between those three they should be able to outpace the Raptors. If Lauri Markkanen avoids last game’s cold shooting, the Cavs’ offense will be multiple levels above what the Raptors can cobble together with their last-minute additions.

Prediction: Cleveland 108, Toronto 97

Cavs vs Raptors: Where to Watch

For those interested in seeing the Cavs take on a G-League team, the game will be airing on Bally Sports Ohio. Anyone outside of the area can tune in on NBA League Pass. The game tips off at 6:00 pm EST.

Cleveland Cavaliers Upcoming Schedule

The Cavs hope they can get significant reinforcements back over the next couple of days, as they travel to the Big Easy on Tuesday to play a New Orleans Pelicans team that has caught its stride and hasn’t been hit by COVID to the extent of the Cavs or their recent opponents.

The end of the week features the Cavs’ first back-to-back in a while, with a road tilt against the Washington Wizards on Thursday and a home matchup with the Atlanta Hawks, whose previous game vs Cleveland was postponed due to the Cavs’ outbreak last weekend. A healthy Cleveland squad can expect a 4-0 week and settle for 3-1, but they need their best players back to set themselves up for success.