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

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

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's Darius Garland scored 25 points in the second half of the Cavaliers' 132-126 victory over Toronto on Thursday night.

Donovan Mitchell was given the night off to rest, but his teammates more than picked up the slack in a come-from-behind victory.

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.