The Toronto Raptors will head to Cleveland to take on the NBA-leading Cavaliers.
The Raptors are arguably the worst team in the league as they go up against arguably the best team in the league.
The Cavaliers are coming off a thrilling win over the Oklahoma City Thunder and have won 11 games in a row. They have the number one offensive rating in the league at 121.5 points per 100 possessions, while also having the number 8 defense in the league.
This is a deep and balanced rosrer. Cleveland has so many options offensively. The Cavaliers have 6 players averaging double-digits in points. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have become on of the best backcourts in the league and the Cavaliers’ twin towers of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are difficult to contain. Mitchell will be out for this game due to rest so the Raptors catch a break there. Outside of that, Sam Merrill (ankle) is out
This will be the third game this season that the Raptors will have their full starting lineup. Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley looked a lot better against the New York Knicks, so it will be exiting to see how they fare against an elite team. Gradey Dick needs to bounce back, as he has struggled as of late. Also, the Raptors bench has to show some life. Toronto has been blown out in three straight games after opening up 2025 with a win. The Raptors have lost 14 of their last 15 games and are 1-16 on the road. The Raptors will be without Ochai Agbaji who has a left hip pointer injury that he suffered during the Knicks game. Davion Mitchell is probable and Bruce Brown will play.
The Raptors will need everything to go their way to have a chance in this game.
Toronto Raptors (8-29) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (32-4)
7:00 p.m. EST, Thursday, January 9, 2025
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio
TV: Sportsnet
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Immanuel Quickley
SG: Gradey Dick
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key Reserves: Kelly Olynyk, Bruce Brown, Ja’Kobe Walter
Projected Cavaliers Starting Lineup:
PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Dean Wade
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen
Key Reserves: Max Strus, Caris LaVert, Ty Jerome
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