Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors: game preview and how to watch

The Cleveland Cavaliers travel north of the border to take on the Toronto Raptors.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (13-7) at Toronto Raptors (10-9)

Where: Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena

When: 7:30 p.m. EST

TV: Bally Sports Ohio, Bally Sports+, NBA League Pass

Opposing blog: Raptors HQ

Cavs’ expected starting lineup: Darius Garland / Donovan Mitchell / Isaac Okoro / Dean Wade / Evan Mobley

Cavs’ injury report: Caris LeVert (PROBABLE - ankle), Jarrett Allen (OUT - back), Kevin Love (OUT - thumb), Ricky Rubio (OUT - ACL), Lamar Stevens (OUT - illness), Dylan Windler (OUT - ankle)

Raptors’ expected starting lineup: Fred VanVleet / Gary Trent Jr. / Scottie Barnes / Pascal Siakam / Thaddeus Young

Raptors’ injury report: Scottie Barnes (QUESTIONABLE - knee), Pascal Siakam (QUESTIONABLE - knee), Justin Champagnie (QUESTIONABLE - back), Dalano Banton (QUESTIONALBE - ankle), Precious Achiuwa (OUT - ankle), Otto Porter, Jr. (OUT - foot)

What to watch for

Controlling the glass

The Raptors haven’t had the start to the season they were hoping for, but this is still a team that has stayed true to its identity. Toronto is grabbing 32.6% of their missed shots which is good for third in the league. This has led to a league-leading 18.8 second-chance points per game.

The Cavs have been a good rebounding team this season, but haven’t been great without Allen as they’re only grabbing 70.8% of opponent’s misses without him which is not a high percentage. The Cavs will need to do a good job of gang rebounding to limit Toronto’s second chances.

Limiting transition opportunities

Toronto has the worst halfcourt offense in the league. However, they are still able to have the 13th-ranked offense through second-chance buckets and getting out in transition more than any team.

The Cavs have not been great at protecting the ball as 15.1% of their offensive possessions end in a turnover that ranks 21st in the league. Furthermore, they have allowed opponents to get out in transition on 16.9% of their possessions which is the second-highest percentage in the league.

The Cavs’ strength is their halfcourt offense and defense, but they struggle to limit and create transition opportunities. The Raptors are the exact opposite. We’ll see which team can dictate the style of the game.

Energy level

This will be the Cavs’ sixth game in nine nights. It is also the conclusion of a three-game in four nights road trip. Considering the players the Cavs could be without and the extended minutes key contributors like Garland, Mitchell and Mobley had to play yesterday against the Detroit Pistons, this could be a team that comes out a bit slow.

Conversely, the Raptors could be welcoming back Barnes and Siakam to the lineup. They have also been home since Wednesday. This has all the makings of a scheduled loss for the Cavs.