Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers - 12/23/22 NBA Picks and Prediction

The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers duke it out at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Friday night.

The Toronto Raptors have been in a real slump as they’ve lost nine of their last 12 games overall, but they will be looking to build some momentum after snapping a six-game slide with a 113-106 road win over the Knicks on Wednesday. Pascal Siakam led the team with a career-high 52 points, nine rebounds and seven assists on 17 of 25 shooting, Fred VanVleet added 28 points while OG Anunoby chipped in with 15 points. As a team, the Raptors shot 44 percent from the field and nine of 34 from the 3-point line as they poured in 35 points in the second quarter to take a 10-point lead into halftime, before holding off a late rally from the Knicks as they leaned heavily on Siakam who delivered all night. The Raptors took care of the ball and finished with just four turnovers while forcing the Knicks into 16 turnovers which was the difference in a close contest.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been in red-hot form as they’ve won nine of their last 12 games and they will be aiming for a sixth straight victory after taking down the Bucks in a 114-106 home win on Wednesday. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 36 points and six assists, Darius Garland added 23 points while Jarrett Allen chipped in with 19 points on eight of 10 shooting. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 48 percent from the field and 10 of 32 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Bucks early and exploded for 35 points in the first quarter to open a 24-point lead which proved handy in the end as the Bucks rallied to get within five points with 2:21 left on the clock.