It’s quite a challenge for the Raptors on Thursday night, as not only are they in the second of a back-to-back but they're visiting the NBA-best Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs opened as 15-point favourites on the NBA odds.
Raptors vs. Cavaliers NBA Betting Odds
The 2024-25 Cleveland Cavaliers are proof that it’s both smart to keep a team together but also make a major change if said team perhaps has its ceiling. When the Cavaliers went out in five games to Boston in the 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals, it was heavily rumored that superstar Donovan Mitchell might be on his way out of Cleveland.
Instead, the Cavs were able to sign him to an extension and they largely kept the band together other than at coach as J.B. Bickerstaff was fired after the playoff disappointment and replaced by Mike Budenholzer. That has worked wonders so far with Cleveland on track to be the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Whether it can beat defending NBA champion Boston in a potential East Finals matchup is another story. The Celtics are -105 in the East and the Cavs +500.
Thursday marks the third of four meetings between these teams this season and last in Cleveland. The Cavs have won both by at least 14 points. Mitchell is averaging 23.5 points in those, and Evan Mobley 19.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. Gradey Dick leads Toronto in averaging 17.0 ppg in the season series.
Overall, the clubs have split the past 10 with Toronto at 5-4-1 ATS despite failing to cover the past three.
Toronto Raptors
This might be the toughest 24-hour stretch of the season for the Dinos after losing 112-98 at the excellent New York Knicks on Wednesday night, a third straight defeat, and then having to fly late night to NBA-best Cleveland and play on short rest Thursday. The Dinos outshot the Knicks overall and from deep but were dominated on the boards. The only member of the starting rotation who had a positive plus/minus was former Knick Immanuel Quickley, who finished with 22 points and five assists and a plus-7 rating. Guard Ochai Agbaji had four points in nine minutes off the bench before leaving with a back contusion following a collision with New York’s Josh Hart, so decent chance Agbaji (10.8 ppg) misses at least Thursday. On Wednesday, the Raptors signed Toronto-raised forward Eugene Omoruyi to a 10-day contract. He was called up from Raptors 905, where he has averaged 19.6 points and 7.4 rebounds in 14 G-League games this season. Toronto is 1-7 ATS in its past eight games.
Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s also the second of a back-to-back for Cleveland and it would be understandable if the Cavs are a bit flat off a 129-122 home win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday in a potential NBA Finals preview – the West-best Thunder had won a franchise-record 15 games in a row. It was the Cavs’ 11th straight win (longest active streak in the NBA) and improved them to 19-1 at home with that loss in late November to Atlanta. Cleveland, the seventh team in NBA history to start 32-4 or better, is on pace to match Golden State’s record of 73 regular-season wins in the 2015-16 season. Centre Jarrett Allen dominated vs. the Thunder with 25 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocks. The Cavs lead the NBA in shooting overall (50.4 per cent) and 3-point shooting (40.5 per cent) and are second in scoring (122.7 ppg). They are 5-1 ATS in their past six.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Raptors vs. Cavaliers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 9 Jan 2:43am | - | - | O +233.5 -115 |
| Closing 10 Jan 2:04am | - | - | O +262.5 -125 |
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
| Points |
22.68 |
| Assists |
6.38 |
| Rebounds |
10.5 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.46 |
| Blocks |
1.24 |
| Points |
22.81 |
| Assists |
6.73 |
| Rebounds |
10.21 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.42 |
- Regular Season
Cavaliers Team Leaders
| Points |
22.68 |
| Assists |
6.38 |
| Rebounds |
10.5 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.46 |
| Blocks |
1.24 |
| Points |
22.81 |
| Assists |
6.73 |
| Rebounds |
10.21 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.42 |
Injuries
Bruce Brown (PG)
Davion Mitchell (PG)
Ochai Agbaji (SG)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)
RJ Barrett (SF)
Gradey Dick (SG)
Davion Mitchell (PG)
Bruno Fernando (PF)
Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)
Ty Jerome (SG)
Sam Merrill (PG)
Dean Wade (SF)
Sam Merrill (PG)
Sam Merrill (PG)
Donovan Mitchell (SG)
Max Strus (PG)
Isaac Okoro (SF)
Evan Mobley (C)
Craig Porter Jr. (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Ques Sat | Knee - 09 / 01 / 25 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Brown is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unknown if he will return to action against the Pistons on Saturday. |
|||||
| Davion Mitchell (PG) | Prob Thur | Calf - 09 / 01 / 25 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Mitchell is dealing with a calf injury, but he is expected to play against the Cavaliers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Ochai Agbaji (SG) | Ques Mon | Back - 08 / 01 / 25 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Agbaji missed the last contest with a lower back contusion, and it is uncertain if he will return to action against the Warriors on Monday. |
|||||
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 01 / 01 / 25 | 2-5 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Brown is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against Magic on Friday. |
|||||
| Ja'Kobe Walter (SG) | Ques wed | Finger - 01 / 01 / 25 | 2-5 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Walter is bothered by a finger injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Nets on Wednesday. |
|||||
| RJ Barrett (SF) | Ques Mon | Undisclosed - 30 / 12 / 24 | 2-6 | 4-3-1 | + - |
|
Barrett is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bucks on Monday. |
|||||
| Gradey Dick (SG) | Ques Wed | Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 24 | 2-6 | 4-3-1 | + - |
|
Dick is bothered by a hamstring injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Nets on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Davion Mitchell (PG) | Ques Tues | Illness - 28 / 12 / 24 | 2-7 | 5-3-1 | + - |
|
Mitchell is ailing with an illness, and it is uncertain if he will suit up against the Celtics on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Bruno Fernando (PF) | Ques Tues | Toe - 28 / 12 / 24 | 2-7 | 5-3-1 | + - |
|
Fernando is laid up with a toe injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Celtics on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Ja'Kobe Walter (SG) | Ques Sun | Illness - 26 / 12 / 24 | 2-8 | 6-3-1 | + - |
|
Walter is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will play Sunday against Hawks. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ty Jerome (SG) | Ques Tues | Illness - 11 / 01 / 25 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Jerome is ailing from illness, and it is unclear if he will play Tuesday versus Pacers. |
|||||
| Sam Merrill (PG) | Ques Thurs | Ankle - 01 / 01 / 25 | 4-3 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Merrill is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Raptors on Thursday. |
|||||
| Dean Wade (SF) | Ques Fri | Knee - 23 / 12 / 24 | 6-4 | 7-3 | + - |
|
Wade is dealing with right knee soreness, and it is undetermined if he will play Friday's clash versus the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Sam Merrill (PG) | Ques Mon | Quadricep - 22 / 12 / 24 | 7-4 | 8-3 | + - |
|
Merrill is managing a quadricep injury, and it is undetermined if he will partake in Monday's clash versus the Jazz. |
|||||
| Sam Merrill (PG) | Prob Sat | Quadricep - 21 / 12 / 24 | 8-4 | 9-3 | + - |
|
Merrill is nursing with a bruised left quadriceps, but he is expected to play Saturday's game against the 76ers. |
|||||
| Donovan Mitchell (SG) | Ques Mon | Undisclosed - 21 / 12 / 24 | 8-4 | 9-3 | + - |
|
Mitchell is laid up with an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will be active against the Jazz on Monday. |
|||||
| Max Strus (PG) | Ques Mon | Ankle - 21 / 12 / 24 | 8-4 | 9-3 | + - |
|
Strus is nursing with an right ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Jazz on Monday. |
|||||
| Isaac Okoro (SF) | Ques Wed | Shoulder - 19 / 12 / 24 | 8-4 | 9-3 | + - |
|
Okoro is dealing a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, and it is unclear if he will partake in Wednesday's tilt versus the Thunder. |
|||||
| Evan Mobley (C) | Prob Mon | Ankle - 12 / 12 / 24 | 8-6 | 10-4 | + - |
|
Mobley is dealing with an ankle sprain, but he is likely to play against the Nets on Monday. |
|||||
| Craig Porter Jr. (PG) | Ques Fri | Illness - 06 / 12 / 24 | 10-6 | 12-4 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. is ailing from illness, and it is unclear if he will play against the Bucks on Friday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 9 Jan 2:43am - - O +233.5 -115 Closing 10 Jan 2:04am - - O +262.5 -125 -
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
Points 22.68
Assists 6.38
Rebounds 10.5
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.46
Blocks 1.24
Points 22.81
Assists 6.73
Rebounds 10.21
FG% 75
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.42
-
- Regular Season
Cavaliers Team Leaders
Points 22.68
Assists 6.38
Rebounds 10.5
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.46
Blocks 1.24
Points 22.81
Assists 6.73
Rebounds 10.21
FG% 75
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.42
-
Injuries
Bruce Brown (PG)
Ques Sat Knee - 09 / 01 / 25Davion Mitchell (PG)
Prob Thur Calf - 09 / 01 / 25Ochai Agbaji (SG)
Ques Mon Back - 08 / 01 / 25Bruce Brown (PG)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 01 / 01 / 25Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)
Ques wed Finger - 01 / 01 / 25RJ Barrett (SF)
Ques Mon Undisclosed - 30 / 12 / 24Gradey Dick (SG)
Ques Wed Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 24Davion Mitchell (PG)
Ques Tues Illness - 28 / 12 / 24Bruno Fernando (PF)
Ques Tues Toe - 28 / 12 / 24Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)
Ques Sun Illness - 26 / 12 / 24Ty Jerome (SG)
Ques Tues Illness - 11 / 01 / 25Sam Merrill (PG)
Ques Thurs Ankle - 01 / 01 / 25Dean Wade (SF)
Ques Fri Knee - 23 / 12 / 24Sam Merrill (PG)
Ques Mon Quadricep - 22 / 12 / 24Sam Merrill (PG)
Prob Sat Quadricep - 21 / 12 / 24Donovan Mitchell (SG)
Ques Mon Undisclosed - 21 / 12 / 24Max Strus (PG)
Ques Mon Ankle - 21 / 12 / 24Isaac Okoro (SF)
Ques Wed Shoulder - 19 / 12 / 24Evan Mobley (C)
Prob Mon Ankle - 12 / 12 / 24Craig Porter Jr. (PG)
Ques Fri Illness - 06 / 12 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Bruce Brown (PG) Ques Sat Knee - 09 / 01 / 25 1-3 3-1 + - Brown is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unknown if he will return to action against the Pistons on Saturday.
Davion Mitchell (PG) Prob Thur Calf - 09 / 01 / 25 1-3 3-1 + - Mitchell is dealing with a calf injury, but he is expected to play against the Cavaliers on Thursday.
Ochai Agbaji (SG) Ques Mon Back - 08 / 01 / 25 1-3 3-1 + - Agbaji missed the last contest with a lower back contusion, and it is uncertain if he will return to action against the Warriors on Monday.
Bruce Brown (PG) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 01 / 01 / 25 2-5 4-3 + - Brown is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against Magic on Friday.
Ja'Kobe Walter (SG) Ques wed Finger - 01 / 01 / 25 2-5 4-3 + - Walter is bothered by a finger injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Nets on Wednesday.
RJ Barrett (SF) Ques Mon Undisclosed - 30 / 12 / 24 2-6 4-3-1 + - Barrett is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bucks on Monday.
Gradey Dick (SG) Ques Wed Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 24 2-6 4-3-1 + - Dick is bothered by a hamstring injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Nets on Wednesday.
Davion Mitchell (PG) Ques Tues Illness - 28 / 12 / 24 2-7 5-3-1 + - Mitchell is ailing with an illness, and it is uncertain if he will suit up against the Celtics on Tuesday.
Bruno Fernando (PF) Ques Tues Toe - 28 / 12 / 24 2-7 5-3-1 + - Fernando is laid up with a toe injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Celtics on Tuesday.
Ja'Kobe Walter (SG) Ques Sun Illness - 26 / 12 / 24 2-8 6-3-1 + - Walter is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will play Sunday against Hawks.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Ty Jerome (SG) Ques Tues Illness - 11 / 01 / 25 0-2 1-1 + - Jerome is ailing from illness, and it is unclear if he will play Tuesday versus Pacers.
Sam Merrill (PG) Ques Thurs Ankle - 01 / 01 / 25 4-3 4-3 + - Merrill is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Raptors on Thursday.
Dean Wade (SF) Ques Fri Knee - 23 / 12 / 24 6-4 7-3 + - Wade is dealing with right knee soreness, and it is undetermined if he will play Friday's clash versus the Nuggets.
Sam Merrill (PG) Ques Mon Quadricep - 22 / 12 / 24 7-4 8-3 + - Merrill is managing a quadricep injury, and it is undetermined if he will partake in Monday's clash versus the Jazz.
Sam Merrill (PG) Prob Sat Quadricep - 21 / 12 / 24 8-4 9-3 + - Merrill is nursing with a bruised left quadriceps, but he is expected to play Saturday's game against the 76ers.
Donovan Mitchell (SG) Ques Mon Undisclosed - 21 / 12 / 24 8-4 9-3 + - Mitchell is laid up with an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will be active against the Jazz on Monday.
Max Strus (PG) Ques Mon Ankle - 21 / 12 / 24 8-4 9-3 + - Strus is nursing with an right ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Jazz on Monday.
Isaac Okoro (SF) Ques Wed Shoulder - 19 / 12 / 24 8-4 9-3 + - Okoro is dealing a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, and it is unclear if he will partake in Wednesday's tilt versus the Thunder.
Evan Mobley (C) Prob Mon Ankle - 12 / 12 / 24 8-6 10-4 + - Mobley is dealing with an ankle sprain, but he is likely to play against the Nets on Monday.
Craig Porter Jr. (PG) Ques Fri Illness - 06 / 12 / 24 10-6 12-4 + - Porter Jr. is ailing from illness, and it is unclear if he will play against the Bucks on Friday.