The most successful year and decade for the Toronto Raptor franchise comes to a close when the Dinos host the Cleveland Cavaliers on New Year’s Eve. The Raptors continue to claw away at their schedule with a depleted lineup. The Cavs catch the Dinos at an opportune moment and while they enjoy a hot ATS streak.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Cleveland crosses the border with an impressive 4-0 mark against the spread over its last four games. The club has snatched four of its 10 wins on the season in the last two weeks. The Cavs are 4-1 straight up since they lost at Toronto on December 16th. 

The Cavaliers are still among the worst teams in the Association at 10-22. They’re 4-12 away from Cleveland this season and 7-9 against the spread as road underdogs. 

The squad is among the lowest scoring sides in the NBA at 104.6 points per game. Cleveland carries a 15-17 Over/Under record into Tuesday’s tilt. An improvement in the scoring department is part of the reason for the better results recently. The Cavs are averaging 110.5 points per game over their last eight outings on the hardwood. 

Toronto enters this matchup on the heels of a home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. The Raps are 22-11 (19-14 ATS) on the season, but 3-3 SU and ATS since Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Norman Powell all caught the injury bug.

The Raps are 3-7 against the number in their last 10 games against the Cavs and 2-3 ATS since LeBron James left for Hollywood. The Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings between these two sides.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs are trying to get by with All-Star power forward Kevin Love. Cleveland is shopping the underperforming veteran to would-be interested teams in the league, but there isn’t much of a market for Love. 

He was on a three game hot streak (23.7 points, 9.3 rebounds) before he picked up a hip injury. He missed the Cavs’ last game and he’s listed as questionable to suit up against Toronto. 

Toronto Raptors

There’s no question who the two most important players are on the Raptors’ active roster right now. Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet are the two best shot creators and distributors. The problem is Toronto doesn’t look great when both players are on the floor at the same time.

The Raptors own a -2.4 net rating with both Lowry and VanVleet on the court. A good chunk of those 449 minutes the pair have played together have come with Siakam out. That likely exaggerates the numbers. Still, it’s something for Nick Nurse to keep in mind.

Who Will Win Cavaliers vs. Raptors?

Injuries

Cleveland

Tristan Thompson (C)

day-to-day Eye - 08 / 03 / 20

Dean Wade (SF)

Ques Tues Ankle - 06 / 03 / 20

Kevin Porter Jr. (SG)

Out indefinitely Concussion - 04 / 03 / 20

Andre Drummond (C)

Prob Sun Calf - 02 / 03 / 20

Darius Garland (PG)

day-to-day Groin - 01 / 03 / 20

Tristan Thompson (C)

Prob Sat Knee - 29 / 02 / 20

Andre Drummond (C)

Prob Sat Calf - 26 / 02 / 20

Dante Exum (PG)

Out indefinitely Ankle - 24 / 02 / 20

Kevin Love (PF)

Prob Mon Achilles - 22 / 02 / 20

Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)

Ques Sat Foot - 20 / 02 / 20

Toronto

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Wed Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)

Prob Sun Knee - 21 / 08 / 20

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20

OG Anunoby (SF)

Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 08 / 20

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Mon Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

Paul Watson (SG)

Doub Sun Back - 09 / 08 / 20

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Sun Eye - 08 / 08 / 20

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)

day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20

Oshae Brissett (PF)

Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 07 / 20

Injuries

Cleveland

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tristan Thompson (C)	day-to-day	Eye - 08 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Thompson is hampered by a corneal abrasion in his right eye, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up once the league resumes play.
Dean Wade (SF)	Ques Tues	Ankle - 06 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Wade has missed the last two games with a sprained right ankle, and his status for Tuesday's clash with the Bulls is up in the air.
Kevin Porter Jr. (SG)	Out indefinitely	Concussion - 04 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Porter Jr. has been placed in the concussion protocol. He is without a timetable for return.
Andre Drummond (C)	Prob Sun	Calf - 02 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Drummond has sat out the previous three games due to strained left calf, but he is expected to be ready to return Sunday versus the Spurs.
Darius Garland (PG)	day-to-day	Groin - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Garland is out of commission with a left groin strain. It is up in the air if he will return once the league comes back from its hiatus.
Tristan Thompson (C)	Prob Sat	Knee - 29 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Thompson has been held out the past three games due to a left knee contusion, but he will get back in the lineup against the Nuggets on Saturday.
Andre Drummond (C)	Prob Sat	Calf - 26 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Drummond has been held out of the last two games due to a left calf strain but is expected to suit up for Saturday's tilt versus the Pacers.
Dante Exum (PG)	Out indefinitely	Ankle - 24 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Exum is out of action due to a left ankle sprain, and he will miss an extended period.
Kevin Love (PF)	Prob Mon	Achilles - 22 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Love missed the last game due to a sore right Achilles, but he is expected to take the court for Monday's matchup versus the Heat.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)	Ques Sat	Foot - 20 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
McKinnie has been sidelined due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot, but may return to face the Nuggets on Saturday.

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20	2-1	1-2	+ -
Ibaka is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 21 / 08 / 20	4-5	2-7	+ -
Hollis-Jefferson is bothered by swelling in his left knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Out Fri	Rest - 14 / 08 / 20	6-6	5-7	+ -
VanVleet will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Nuggets on Friday.
OG Anunoby (SF)	Prob Mon	Knee - 12 / 08 / 20	7-6	5-8	+ -
Anunoby is dealing with with soreness in his right knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Mon	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	8-6	5-9	+ -
Ibaka is bothered by a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	8-6	5-9	+ -
VanVleet missed the last game due to a hyperextended right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's contest against the 76ers.
Paul Watson (SG)	Doub Sun	Back - 09 / 08 / 20	8-7	5-10	+ -
Watson is dealing with soreness in his lower back, and he is not expected to be in the lineup Sunday against the Grizzlies.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Sun	Eye - 08 / 08 / 20	9-7	5-11	+ -
Ibaka was forced from the previous game due to an eye laceration, but he is likely to be active Sunday versus the Grizzlies.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)	day-to-day	Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20	11-7	5-13	+ -
Hollis-Jefferson exited Saturday's game with an ankle injury, and his return is in question.
Oshae Brissett (PF)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 31 / 07 / 20	11-7	5-13	+ -
Brissett is expected to be sideline for an extended period due to right knee surgery in order to remove loose bodies.