Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction 1/9/25 NBA Picks
Cleveland Cavaliers (32-4) vs Toronto Raptors (8-29)
Game Info: Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 7:00 pm (Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse)
Betting Odds: Cleveland Cavaliers -15.5 -- Over/Under: 234.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have been in horrible shape as they've lost 14 of their last 15 games overall and they will be hoping to snap a three-game skid after getting routed by the Knicks in a 112-98 road defeat last night. Immanuel Quickley led the team with 22 points with five assists, Scottie Barnes added 18 points with five assists while RJ Barrett chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Raptors shot 49 percent from the field and 10 of 26 from the 3-point line as they got off to a solid start and kept pace with the Knicks in the first half. The Raptors needed more from some of their starters. Jakob Poeltl had a quiet game of just eight points while Gradey Dick shot just one of six to finish with just three points. The Raptors will meet the Pistons after this game.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been on fire as they've won 15 of their last 16 games overall and they will be gunning for a 12th straight victory after taking down the surging Thunder in a 129-122 statement win last night. Jarrett Allen led the team in scoring with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists on nine of 11 shooting, Evan Mobley added 21 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists while Darius Garland chipped in with 18 points and seven assists. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 52 percent from the field and 15 of 36 from the 3-point line as they caught fire with 37 points in the second quarter to overcome an early nine-point deficit. The Cavs hung onto a narrow lead until the fourth quarter where they held the Thunder to just 20 points to escape with the gritty home win. The Cavs got a poor shooting night from Donovan Mitchell who shot just three of 16 from the field. The Cavs will face the Pacers in a b2b set and then will play against the Thunder and Timberwolves.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Raptors have lost each of their last 12 road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Cavaliers have won 20 of their last 21 night games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The Raptors have won four of their last five night games against the Cavaliers following a road loss.
- The Cavaliers have lost three of their last six games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents following a win.
- The Raptors have covered the spread in six of their last seven games on the second leg of a back-to-back against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four home games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Raptors.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Cavaliers' last five games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back has gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Raptors' last seven road games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
The Raptors are a little shorthanded with Ochai Agbaji still ruled out, while the Cavaliers are still playing without Sam Merrill who is out with an ankle injury. The Raptors have been one of the worst teams in the league lately going up against the hottest team in the league the Cavaliers who just took down the red-hot Thunder. The line was always going to be massive for this one, but I still don't think it's enough to sway me from taking the Cavaliers, who should win easily as long as they don't look past the Raptors.
Peter’s Pick Cleveland -15.5
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
