The Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors open their seasons Wednesday. Tip-off from Scotiabank Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Cavs are looking to start this season how they ended last year, but they will be without several key players due to injuries.
Max Strus will miss Cleveland's season opener and up to the first six weeks of the season with a sprained ankle he reportedly suffered after stepping on a coach's foot during practice. Emoni Bates is currently on a two-way contract, so he won't play every game with the Cavaliers anyway. However, the start of his season is being delayed due to knee surgery he underwent earlier this month to repair a torn meniscus. The organization said that Bates will be reevaluated in about one month. Luke Travers and JT Thor will be unavailable for Cleveland's season opener, but it's not because of injuries. They're both on two-way contracts and will start the season on a G-League assignment with the Cleveland Charge.
The Raptors will also be without several key players for their season opener. As of late Tuesday night, RJ Barrett, Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk and Ja'Kobe Walter have all been ruled out. Barrett is making progress in his recovery from a shoulder injury. He was a limited participant in practice on Tuesday but still hasn’t been cleared for contact. Olynyk is dealing with back stiffness, while Walter and Brown are recovering from shoulder and knee injuries, respectively.
With so many key players out for both teams, this game could be a lot closer than expected. The Cavs are favored to win, but they will need to find a way to overcome their injuries if they want to start the season off on a strong note.
The Cavs' New Era
Under the guidance of head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavs begin a new era with the season opener against the Toronto Raptors. This game is available on multiple streaming services for free. The Kenny Atkinson era begins with a familiar matchup north of the border. It’s the second time in three years they have opened up the season in Toronto.
Cleveland (48-34) is coming off a second consecutive season where it earned the fourth seed in the playoffs under former head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. After falling in the first round two years ago, the Cavs found their way into the conference semifinals before bowing out to the eventual NBA Champion Boston Celtics. An admirable gentleman’s sweep, given the circumstances.
Changes were inevitable as the team lacked that extra gear, especially in the postseason. The Cavs will look to climb even further up the Eastern Conference ladder after bringing back their Core Four of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Mitchell averaged 29.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field. Garland’s numbers decreased to 15.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists while shooting 42.7% from the field. Allen averaged 17.0 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting an NBA-best 67.6% from the field. Mobley tallied 16.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 55.5% from the field.
Mobley’s leap has been pending for years. He seems to have taken a stronger interest in on-ball attacking while also tuning his passing lane abilities. A 3-point shot also continues to be crafted. Cleveland‘s offensive struggles highlighted its issues last season, but its defense remained solid, allowing 110.2 points per game, which was seventh in the league. In a quest to play faster and with a more controlled flow, Atkinson and Co. must find the balance and still keep their defensive identity.
Raptors' Rebuild
The Raptors (25-57) have missed the playoffs in two consecutive seasons. With injuries already flaring up, the rebuild is looking more and more like an arduous climb out of the barrel. Under second-year head coach Darko Rajakovic, Toronto is trying to find itself since trading away Pascal Siakam last season. They spiraled into a 2-19 stretch to close out the woeful 2023-24 campaign.
The group consists of key pieces Scottie Barnes (19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists), Immanuel Quickley (17.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists) and R.J. Barrett (20.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists). The latter has shown potential, but is likely to miss the opener due to an injury suffered in the preseason. Barrett did take part in non-contact practices on Monday.
Toronto‘s wing lineup has given the Cavs fits over the years. They will be lacking that advantage this time around, further strengthening Cleveland’s chances. Still Quickley and Barnes can do damage in certain spots.
The Raptors were an eyesore from beyond the arc last season, tallying a fifth-worst 11.5 3-pointers made per game. They were fourth-worst in the league with a clammy 34.7% from beyond the arc. Second-year guard Gradey Dick’s involvement could be a key factor in that category.
Betting Preview
The Cavaliers are favored to win this game, but the Raptors have a history of giving Cleveland trouble. With several key players out for both teams, this game could be a lot closer than expected. Here are the odds from DraftKings:
- Moneyline: CLE: (-250), TOR: (+205)
- Spread: CLE: (-6.5), TOR: (+6.5)
- Over/Under: 224.5
The Cavs are a -6.5 point favorite, and the over/under is set at 224.5 points. Given the injuries to both teams, it is unlikely that this game will be a high-scoring affair. The Cavs are a better team on paper, but the Raptors have a history of playing them tough. With Barrett out, the Cavs might be able to pull away in the fourth quarter, but this game will be a close one, especially in the first three quarters.
Final Thoughts
This game is a must-watch for any NBA fan. The Cavs are a young team with a lot of potential, and the Raptors are a team that is looking to rebuild. It will be interesting to see how both teams perform with so many key players out. This is a game that could go either way, so make sure to tune in on Wednesday night.
It will be interesting to see how both teams perform with so many key players out. This game could go either way, so make sure to tune in on Wednesday night and get your predictions in!
