Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors Prediction, Preview and Team News 24.11.2025
Calendar icon Published 24 Nov 17:02

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors Prediction, Preview and Team News 24.11.2025

Juan Pablo Aravena Juan Pablo Aravena
Odds via Tonybet
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto RaptorsMonday, November 24, 2025, 7:00 PM EST
Cleveland Cavaliers odds -125
Toronto Raptors odds+113
Over/Under236.5: -125

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Team News

The Cavaliers are dealing with some serious turbulence right now, and Kenny Atkinson is facing his first real adversity test since taking over the coaching job this past summer. After winning Coach of the Year with a historic 64-18 regular season, expectations were sky-high. But injuries and scheduling have created problems that even the reigning Coach of the Year can’t easily solve.

Cleveland sit at 11-6, which sounds respectable until you realize they’ve already lost more games through 17 contests than they had through their first 39 last season. The injury bug has absolutely crushed them.

 Darius Garland is still working his way back from offseason toe surgery and hasn’t been the same playmaker yet. Max Strus remains sidelined, robbing them of a critical 3-and-D weapon. Sam Merrill, who was arguably their best player through the first three games, is now out as well.

But here’s the real problem: Toronto have their number. The Raptors have beaten Cleveland twice already this season – 126-113 on November 13 and 112-101 earlier – and it hasn’t been close where it matters. 

Donovan Mitchell continues to be spectacular, averaging 34.5 points over his last two games and dropping 31 in one of those Toronto losses. Evan Mobley, last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, has been solid, but he can’t single-handedly stop Toronto’s transition attack.

The schedule doesn’t help either. Monday’s game comes on the back end of a back-to-back after facing the Clippers on Sunday.

Toronto Raptors Team News

Toronto are absolutely rolling, and Darko Rajaković deserves massive credit for engineering one of the season’s most surprising turnarounds. After going 25-57 and 30-52 in his first two seasons, the Serbian coach is suddenly a dark horse Coach of the Year candidate with the Raptors sitting at 11-5 and riding a seven-game winning streak.

The transformation has been stunning, to be honest. Toronto have won 11 of their last 12 games, and they’re playing with an identity and pace that’s giving other teams nightmares. They’re running the fastest offence in the entire NBA, pushing tempo relentlessly and turning defensive stops into instant transition buckets. 

The addition of Brandon Ingram has been everything Toronto hoped for and more. He’s averaging 20.9 points per game and gives them a legitimate closer they desperately lacked. 

The defensive transformation also deserves special mention. After finishing 26th in defensive rating before the All-Star break last season, Toronto surged to second post-break – the biggest improvement in the entire league. 

That momentum has carried into this season, where they’re playing suffocating pressure defence that’s causing chaos. After their last meeting, Kenny Atkinson himself praised Toronto’s intensity: “What stands out is their pressure, can you get the ball over halfcourt against these guys?”

Most importantly, everyone has bought into Rajaković’s uptempo system, creating the kind of cohesion that turns good teams into dangerous ones.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors Main Game Info

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors Prediction, Odds

This matchup screams trap game for Cleveland, with all the evidence pointing to Toronto continuing their dominance in this season series. The Cavaliers are dealing with a perfect storm of circumstances that make this an incredibly difficult spot, while the Raptors are clicking on all cylinders with every advantage working in their favour.

Let’s start with the most glaring issue: Cleveland simply haven’t solved Toronto’s style yet. Across two meetings, the Raptors have run them off the floor, especially in crunch time. That 67-52 fourth-quarter advantage isn’t a fluke. Toronto know exactly how to attack Cleveland’s rotations when games get tight.

Moreover, the back-to-back situation is brutal for the Cavs, as they play Sunday night against the Clippers, then have to travel to Toronto with zero rest. Meanwhile, the Raptors will be fresh, at home, and motivated to complete the season series sweep.

Toronto will also want to run this game, pushing Cleveland to their limit and gassing Mitchell. Every time the Raptors get a defensive rebound or turnover, they’re pushing in transition before the Cavs can set their defence. That 40-17 fastbreak advantage from the first two meetings will only be amplified with Cleveland’s tired legs.

Donovan Mitchell will get his numbers, don’t get it twisted, he always does, but it won’t be enough. Toronto have too many weapons, too much momentum, and too many structural advantages. Barnes, Ingram, Barrett, and Quickley can all create offence, meaning Cleveland can’t focus all their defensive attention on one player. 

Home court matters a ton here, too, as Scotiabank Arena will be rocking for a team on a seven-game winning streak chasing a playoff spot. That energy, combined with Toronto’s confidence from already beating Cleveland twice, will be massive.

We’re backing the home underdogs. The +113 moneyline offers tremendous value for a side who have simply been better in this matchup and enter with every conceivable advantage.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors Betting Tip

If you’re not comfortable taking Toronto straight up on the moneyline, the spread presents safer value. Getting 1.5 points with a team who have beaten their opponents twice already this season – including by 13 and 11 points – is almost too good to be true.

The market is giving Cleveland too much respect based on their overall record and last season’s success, especially considering their last games.

Pretty simply, the matchup dynamics strongly favour Toronto. Without Merrill and Strus, Cleveland lose two of their most reliable perimeter shooters, making it easier for the Raptors to load up on Mitchell and Mobley. Meanwhile, Toronto have multiple creators who can attack the Cavaliers’ thin rotation.

This total feels pretty solid given Toronto’s playing style and the matchup, if we’re going to be honest.

First, look at their previous meetings: 126-113 (239 total points) and 112-101 (213 total points).

Moreover, Toronto run the fastest pace in the entire NBA. They want possessions, possessions, and more possessions. Against a tired Cleveland team on a back-to-back, they’re going to push even harder in transition.

Mitchell will put up big numbers trying to keep the Cavaliers in it – he’s averaging 34.5 over his last two games. But Toronto’s big three of Barnes, Ingram, and Barrett are all scoring efficiently. Look for something in the 122-118 range, easily sailing over 236.5.

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