The Toronto Raptors tip off their 2022 campaign at home tonight against the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Raptors have once again been picked by experts and oddsmakers to be a middling team in an improved Eastern Conference. But it’s seemingly the same story every year for Toronto, who regularly exceed expectations (and its regular season win total). The Raptors will look to start that process again tonight.
One of the teams thought to pass the Raps in the standings this season is Cleveland, thanks to the Cavs' combination of young talent and the offseason acquisition of Donovan Mitchell. But how will this newly constructed roster vibe against a swarming Raptors defense?
I break it all down and dig up a best bet in my NBA picks and predictions for this season-opening matchup for Cavaliers vs. Raptors.
Cavaliers vs Raptors best odds
Cavaliers vs Raptors picks and predictions
The Raptors are coming off a season where they went 48-36 and got eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Philadelphia 76ers.
But there were some great takeaways from last season. None is more important than the emergence of potential superstar Scottie Barnes. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 draft had an outstanding year. He did it all for the Raptors, averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on his way to winning Rookie of the Year.
If the sophomore star can continue to develop a jump shot, watch out. Being a playmaker is also a big part of Barnes’ game, and it will be really interesting to see if the Raptors use him as more of a point-forward and a primary ball-handler, particularly with the team’s second unit.
Toronto is still lacking when it comes to backup point guard, so it won’t be surprising to see Barnes take on some of those duties this season. That could mean more opportunities to feed his teammates in this matchup against the Cavaliers.
Cleveland has some great top-end talent, with Mitchell joining Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. However, that guard duo is a little undersized and could be something Barnes can take advantage of.
Barnes averaged 3.5 assists per game last season, and that is probably why we’re getting that number for his assists total in this matchup. That bumped up to 4.0 apg over his final 22 games last season, and he had four or more assists in all three he played against the Cavs last season.
I’m backing Barnes to dish out the dimes in this one.
My best bet: Scottie Barnes Over 3.5 assists (+125 at PointsBet)
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Cavaliers vs Raptors spread analysis
Barnes faces off Mobley, who he narrowly beat out for ROY. The budding center also had an outstanding year, averaging 15 points and 8.3 rebounds while being a force at the defensive end of the floor.
Mobley and the Cavaliers’ other young stars' development looked good enough, and the front office felt ready for a big move.
Enter Donovan Mitchell. The three-time All-Star makes the Cavs a potential dark horse contender in the East.
While that dynamic backcourt will get a lot of the headlines, it will likely be the frontcourt duo of Mobley and Allen that give the Raptors most of the issues in this one. The Raptors are long, athletic, and tenacious on defense, but they don’t feature someone with the real size to slow down the Cavs’ two bigs, so they’ll need to get creative.
On the flip side, the Cavs’ depth has taken a bit of a hit this season, so that will be something to watch against a Raptors team that could easily run 10 players deep once everyone is fully healthy.
Toronto’s starters shouldn’t be overlooked, either. Pascal Siakam made an All-NBA team, while Fred VanVleet is coming off an All-Star season. Mix in potential breakouts for OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa, and this Raptors team could be a problem for opponents.
In this matchup, the Raps have the tools to attack the Cavs' weakness, but Cleveland might have the edge in frontline talent. The line of Raptors -2 at home seems like a pretty solid number, so there is no play from me on the side.
Cavaliers vs Raptors Over/Under analysis
When it comes to the total for this Eastern Conference matchup, the number hit the board at 214.5, and the early money has been on the Over, bumping it up to 216. That number may be high enough to consider the other side.
The Cavaliers have a dynamic scorer in Mitchell now, but it will be interesting to see how this lineup gels early on in the season. Meanwhile, the Raptors' biggest flaw is that they don’t have a guy like Mitchell. They don’t have a ton of knockdown shooters, and their halfcourt offense can struggle as a result.
On top of that, both of these teams finished in the Top 10 in defensive rating a season ago and were ranked 25th or worse when it came to pace. Once again, no official play for me here, but I would lean toward the Under.
Cavaliers vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Cavaliers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games in Toronto. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Raptors.
Cavaliers vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Wednesday, October 19, 2022 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN, Bally Sports Ohio |
Cavaliers vs Raptors key injuries
