Cavaliers vs Raptors

NBA odds, picks, and predictions for the Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers on December 23. NBA betting best bet and free pick analysis.

The Raptors love to run the floor in transition but after a made shot they also play at a snail's pace averaging 18 seconds per possession. That's bad news against the top defensive team in the league in the Cavs. [Donovan Mitchell ](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/17833/donovan-mitchell)has given them a true go-to scorer with 29.5 ppg while point guard [Darius Garland](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/130468/darius-garland) averages 20.7 ppg and 7.8 apg. They are 3-0 SU and ATS in the last three meetings (including two victories earlier this season) although all of those contests took place in Toronto. The Cavs have won five in a row and are fresh off a 114-106 win against the Bucks. Big men Evan Mobley and [Jarrett Allen](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/2005/jarrett-allen) have been very efficient inside combining for 28.9 ppg on 58.9% shooting. That sort of hero ball isn't sustainable for offensive success long-term and Toronto has one of the worst half-court offenses in the league. They also rarely turn the ball over themselves, and their league-leading 8.0 extra scoring chances per game is a whopping 3.7 more than second-place Phoenix. The Raps just snapped a six-game losing streak while the Cavs have won five in a row. Not only is that the lowest number in the league, it's almost 3.0 ppg lower than second-place Philadelphia. They lack a true go-to scorer or shot-creator and often force Siakam into a ball-dominant role that he typically can't live up to (his last game notwithstanding). [Cavs](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/teams/main/cleveland-cavaliers) last in the league in pace and the [Raptors](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/teams/main/toronto-raptors) 25th.

Find Cavaliers vs. Raptors predictions, betting odds, moneyline, spread, over/under and more for the December 23 NBA matchup.

The Toronto Raptors visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. We continue our NBA odds series with a Raptors-Cavaliers prediction and pick.

Cleveland is also one of the best rebounding teams in the league with a rank of fifth in both rebound differential and rebound rate. Assuming he plays, I like the Cavaliers to cover in a revenge spot. Pay attention to the status of Evan Mobley. At home he averages 24.3 PPG and 8.3 APG while shooting 50% from the field and 45% from the field. Mitchell has averaged just 19 PPG against the Raptors this season – a far cry from his season average of 29.5 PPG. The Cavaliers are 18-13-2 against the spread while 58% of their games have gone under. Mitchell is coming off a 36-point outing against Milwaukee’s stingy defense, perhaps giving backers some confidence in his ability to bounce back against the Raptors. The Raptors rank 20th in scoring but 14th in offensive rating. The Raptors are 16-16 against the spread while 53% of their games have gone over. Siakam finds himself in the midst of an incredible season. While Anunoby’s return is certainly helpful, the Raptors go where star Pascal Siakam takes them. The defensive stopper has been red-hot against Cleveland, averaging three made threes per game while shooting 55% from deep in their two meetings.

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Raptors, Dec. 23, 2022 (Tim Phillis - For The News-Herald)Photos from Cavaliers vs. 23, 2022 (Tim Phillis – For The News-Herald)By Tim Phillis 23, 2022 (Tim Phillis - For The News-Herald)Show Caption of ExpandTim PhillisJoin the ConversationWe invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. 23, 2022, by Tim Phillis.Photos from Cavaliers vs.