The Raptors experimented with a center-less lineup in the second quarter, using Scottie Barnes as their de facto big man. It’s a look Toronto has rarely deployed this season, but given Kelly Olynyk’s struggles this year, it’s a wrinkle the Raptors might want to explore more often.

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Pregame analysis and predictions of the Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA game to be played on January 9, 2025 on ESPN.

SportsLine's model just revealed its NBA picks for the Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night

The Raptors are currently 1-16 on the road with a point differential of -11.4, while the Cavaliers have a 9-1 record in their last ten games at home.

And the Raptors hung with Cleveland for much of Thursday, even holding an 12-point lead at one point. They pressured the Cavaliers at both ends of the floor, and a 42-point third-quarter avalanche gave them a five-point lead entering the fourth.

Immanuel Quickley’s Toronto Raptors (8-29) take to the road to play the Cleveland Cavaliers (32-4) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Thursday,. Game time is 7:00 PM ET.The Cavaliers

Cleveland currently sits at an NBA-best 33-4, while the team was 21-15 and tied for the 11th-best record in the league at this point last season.

Scottie Barnes and the Raptors face Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers on Thursday night. The Sporting News has you covered with odds, betting advice, and player prop bets for this Eastern Conference showdown.

Darius Garland scored 40 points on 14-of-24 shooting, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers narrowly avoid an upset with a 132-126 win over the visiting Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.