Cleveland Cavaliers-Toronto Raptors: Odds, injuries, lineups, TV info and prediction for Dec. 23

In the past week-plus of games, the Cleveland Cavaliers have won in multiple ways, with them controlling the contest at the Dallas Mavericks on the road, and since, the Cavaliers have won their first four games of their current homestand.

The Cavs still have issues to work out on the road, where the team has been susceptible to lulls for stretches, and just has appeared to play a bit less urgency as opposed at home. The Cavs last had a big W on Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks at home, and while Khris Middleton not being involved was obviously notable, the Cavaliers got the job done.

Next up on Friday, the Cavs will be hosting the Toronto Raptors, a club that has taken the first two games this season from Cleveland, both in Toronto. The Raps have been backsliding, though, and despite some of them close Ls, they had lost six consecutive games prior to Toronto’s last win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday, a game where Pascal Siakam went berzerk, with 52 points.

New York had been red-hot, and credit goes to the Raps, but while injuries haven’t helped, Toronto has surely hit a rough patch.

Despite that, the Cavs need to turn things around against the Raptors this season, beginning on Friday night here. We’ll discuss the matchup further next, beginning with the betting info related to this contest.

Cavaliers-Raptors: Odds, spread and over/under

Per PointsBet, the Cavaliers are favored here by 4.5 points. The moneyline for Cleveland is -190 and for Toronto is +160, and the over/under is currently set for 215.

Cavaliers-Raptors: Injury report

Cavs injuries: Ricky Rubio (out, knee); Dean Wade (out, shoulder); Dylan Windler (out, ankle), Evan Mobley and Lamar Stevens (questionable, knee).

Raptors injuries: Otto Porter Jr. (out, toe); Precious Achiuwa (out, ankle); Gary Trent Jr. (questionable, quad); Khem Birch (questionable, non-COVID-19-related illness).

Cavaliers-Raptors: Projected starters

Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro/Lamar Stevens, Evan Mobley/Cedi Osman, Jarrett Allen

Raptors starters: Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Christian Koloko

Cavaliers-Raptors: Prediction

The Raptors haven’t been playing how they did earlier on in the season in recent weeks, and they’ve suddenly dropped to 10th in the Eastern Conference, with them sitting at 14-18.

That said, the Cavaliers are well aware of how the Raptors can be a difficult matchup, regardless, and though it’s unclear if Trent is playing for Toronto, the same goes for Mobley on the other side for Cleveland. Trent has missed the last four games, for context.

Either way, this is a game where Cleveland has to find ways to try to contain Siakam, a guy who’s had a career year, and is again, coming off a 52-point heater at the Knicks. He’s going to get his; the Cavaliers just cannot let others on the Raps ignite runs.

In this one at home, however, one should look for the Cavs to play more under control, and if they can keep Toronto in set situations, they should be able to do enough defensively to land a W here, provided the ball security is there.

Toronto has their share of wings, and the lineup construction for both should be an intriguing chess match, but eventually, Mitchell and company get things figured, and Cleveland grinds it out. They win and cover, and Mitchell has a far better outing than the last time he faced Toronto.

Prediction: Cavs 112, Raptors 106

The Bet: Cavs (-4.5), OVER

Cavaliers-Raptors: Where to watch/stream

This Cavs-Raptors matchup will be available on Bally Sports Ohio for fans in-market and with that option. For fans out of market and/or without that channel, NBA League Pass will have the game.

For a streaming option, click here for a free trial of FuboTV!

Cavaliers upcoming schedule:

After this game versus the Raptors, the Cavaliers will wrap up their current homestand against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. Following that outing, Cleveland has two games on the road at the Indiana Pacers on Thursday and then at the Chicago Bulls next Saturday, on New Year’s Eve.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.