After a seemingly huge win over the Hawks to open the season, things have gone downhill for the Raptors, with four straight losses coming into Friday’s matchup with the Cavaliers.
On the other side, Cleveland is once again looking for a top-seed in the Eastern Conference, and the team is out to a 3-2 start despite an injury keeping Darius Garland (toe) in street clothes. Donovan Mitchell (hamstring) is also questionable for tonight’s contest.
Can Toronto get back on track on the road? Let’s preview tonight’s tilt with the help of some of some odds and lines on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Raptors vs. Cavaliers prediction, preview
It’s difficult to get a read on NBA injury reports, but I do think Mitchell is legitimately 50/50 for this game. The All-Star played through a similar questionable tag in Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics, but only scored 15 points in 31.9 minutes of action and didn’t look quite right. That said, if Mitchell were to sit, it wouldn’t leave the Cavaliers with many options at lead guard. The aforementioned Garland remains sidelined on Friday, while Lonzo Ball is on a minutes restriction and is shooting just 26.1% from the field in 2025-26. Ball or Craig Porter Jr. would likely move into the starting five if Mitchell sits for the first time this season. From an overall offensive standpoint, Evan Mobley has shouldered a serious workload with Mitchell off the floor through five games, with the former third-overall pick possessing a team-high 36.3% usage rate.
Whoever ends up active for Cleveland, they will be in an amazing matchup. Toronto’s defense has been non-existent this season, as the Raptors have surrendered a whopping 121.3 opponent points per 100 possession — the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA. It certainly doesn’t help matters that Toronto is also playing at the league’s fourth-fastest pace (105.5), which is how you give up 139 points in two of your last three losses. Woof. Things likely won’t be any better on Friday, as the team will continue to have to play small without center Jakob Poeltl (back).
On a positive note, the Raptors offense has at least performed better than expected through five contests, even sitting second in the NBA in assist rate (20.6%). Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram have both looked comfortable in the same starting five, with each averaging over 22.0 points per game with an effective field goal rate above 60.0%. If Toronto has any hope of breaking its losing streak this evening, it’ll likely need a huge performance from the former All-Stars.
Raptors vs. Cavaliers pick, best bet
Best Bet: Over 239.5 (-110)
Toronto is allowing 128.7 opponent points per 100 possession over its past three games. Even if Mitchell sits, I think this will be a high-tempo, high-scoring affair.
