The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Canada to visit the Toronto Raptors Wednesday for an Eastern Conference season-opener. Tipoff from Scotiabank Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Cavaliers vs. Raptors odds, and our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Cavaliers come into this season looking to make the playoffs after losing in the play-in tournament last year to the Atlanta Hawks. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has emerged as one of the top coaches in the NBA. Cleveland looks to be a strong team in a loaded Eastern Conference after having a big off-season and adding newly acquired G Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in exchange for G Collin Sexton.
With all-stars C Jarrett Allen and G Darius Garland along with F Evan Mobley, who is entering his second year, this team has some serious talent and leadership. Long-time F Kevin Love is looking to stay healthy and play a significant role in this team’s playoff hopes. They also added national champion F Ochai Agbaji out of Kansas in the 2022 NBA draft and will be looking to see what he can add to this team as well.
The Raptors enter this season after losing in the first round of the NBA Playoffs last year in 6 games to the Philadelphia 76ers. Led by former Coach of the Year, this team looks to do what they have done for most of their recent history: make a big splash in the playoffs. With returning all-stars F Pascal Siakam and G Fred VanVleet, along with last year’s Rookie of the Year F Scottie Barnes, this team has some deadly talent.
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Cavaliers at Raptors odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Raptors -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers +2.5 (-108) | Raptors -2.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 213.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Cavaliers at Raptors key injuries
Cavaliers
- G Ricky Rubio (knee) out
Raptors
- F Chris Boucher Jr. (hamstring) doubtful
- F Otto Porter Jr. (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Cavaliers at Raptors picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 104, Raptors 100
Moneyline
LEAN CAVALIERS (+115).
Despite being both the underdog and the away team, I believe the Cavaliers will win this one, but this is your riskiest bet. The Cavaliers to me seem like a better team than the Raptors, especially with the new pieces they added this off-season. The Raptors are more experienced and have tremendous talent as well, and both of these teams are extremely well-coached, so you can expect a great game and not a blowout.
Against the spread
BET CAVALIERS +2.5 (-108).
Because I believe this will be both a close game and my belief that the Cavaliers will win, this is your safest bet. The Cavaliers are simply a better team and I believe they will prove that in this game and cover the spread.
Don’t underestimate the Raptors and their talent, but with an offensively talented backcourt with Garland and Mitchell, and a frontcourt that can hoop on both ends of the ball, I see the Cavaliers taking this one.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 213.5 (-105).
Both of these teams have tremendous offensive firepower, but both Nurse and Bickerstaff push their teams to play great defense. Not only do these teams have great individual defenders, but they also play great team defense. Because of that, I believe the under will beat the over in this game.
The Cavaliers have especially great paint defense with Mobley and Allen. This bet has a good amount of risk to it which makes it your second safest for this one. Don’t be surprised if the offensive stars on both sides prove to be too challenging for the defenses.
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