Betsided

Cavaliers vs. Raptors Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, Oct. 19 (Toronto Spoils Donovan Mitchell's Debut)

By Ben Heisler

Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) smiles during their preseason matchup. Toronto is a 2.5-point favorite vs. Cleveland on Wednesday.
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) smiles during their preseason matchup. Toronto is a 2.5-point favorite vs. Cleveland on Wednesday. / Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
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If you like athleticism and length all over the frontcourt, this is the opening night NBA matchup for you!

The new-look Cleveland Cavaliers make their regular season debut tonight north of the border against the Toronto Raptors with a key new face on their roster in All Star Donovan Mitchell.

The Cavs paid a steep price to acquire him from Utah. Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, and Collin Sexton got shipped off to Salt Lake City, plus three first-round picks and two pick swaps were sent out west as well.

Meanwhile, the Raptors' offseason was relatively quiet, adding versatile, but often-injured small forward Otto Porter Jr, and F/C Juancho Hernandez over the summer, as well as drafting Christian Koloko

How does Vegas see tonight's opener? Here are the latest odds:

Cavaliers vs. Raptors Odds, Spread and Total

Cavaliers vs. Raptors Prediction and Pick

I like the make-up of this year's Cavaliers squad, but I'm not ready to back them in a difficult opening matchup in Toronto.

The Raptors are a nightmare to handle with their length all over the court and their ability to switch on nearly everyone in defensive matchups. Last season, after the All Star break, Toronto ranked fifth in the league in defensive rating.

Mitchell has also struggled historically against Toronto over his career, tied for his second-lowest points-per-game with 21.1.

With Cleveland still trying to figure out their identity, even with their talent, it's difficult to want to back them as their new roster needs time to gel. Even Cavaliers head coach J.B. BIckerstaff has acknowledged that, saying pregame, "(The team is) a work in progress, a new interesting dynamic. We're not a finished product."

I think the Raptors, along with my longshot pick of Most Improved Player Precious Achiuwa, get it done tonight and cover the short number at home.

Follow all of Ben's betting plays in real-time HERE!

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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