Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors

Toronto is decimated by injuries heading into the season, with RJ Barrett, Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, and No. 19 overall pick Ja'Kobe Walter all ruled out against the visiting Cavaliers.

It's a lack of resources and offensive options for the home which leans in favor of Cleveland here, especially with the one-two punch down low of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen who should be a force defensively and on the glass.

Toronto hit the OVER at a 51.9 percent clip in 2023-24 at 42-39-1, while the Cavaliers were slightly lower at 40-41-1 (49.4 percent). 

Both teams ranked in the bottom-third of the Association in offense following the All-Star break, so oddsmakers having the point total here set at 223 total points feels too ambitious when also factoring in the missing bodies.

Toronto did take one home outing against the Cavaliers last season, albeit by three points with now-former Raptor Pascal Siakam needing to drop 36 points.

Against a defense that just ranked seventh in the Association, the Raptors' options to match point for point with Cleveland is limited on both ends of the floor. 

Taking the OVER and projecting three 3-pointers is a tall task, as Gradey Dick only made that many on 14 occasions out of a possible 60 games. Cleveland's defense isn't nearly as imposing on the perimeter as it is around the rim, so Dick could make us pay for taking the UNDER.