Game Thread: Raptors vs. Cavs updates, TV info & more

Cleveland coming to town doesn’t drum up the same buzz it used to. A match-up that once served as equal parts measuring stick and existential-crisis instigator is now just a dull, dog days tilt with a team stuck looking up at about 27 others around the league. Cleveland’s got a best player in open rebellion in search of a trade, a highly-drafted back court duo with on-court chemistry that’s tenuous at best, and an old school college coach pissing everyone off with his goofy (and honestly cool as hell) names for plays.

Toronto should win this game. It will be alarming if it’s anything but comfortable.

One thing that could get in the way of an evening on cruise control is the continued absence of Fred VanVleet. He’ll miss his fourth-straight game with a knee issue that the Raptors haven’t really specified, though Nick Nurse doesn’t seem to worried about his outlook.

Outside of rookie Dylan Windler, the Cavs aren’t injured at all, taking away one potential excuse for their nine losses in 10 games. The stage is set for the Raptors build on their rut-busting win over Brooklyn on Saturday.

Where to Watch

Sportsnet One @ 7:30pm ET

Lineups

Cleveland — Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Cedi Osman, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson

Toronto — Kyle Lowry, Norman Powell, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol

Injuries

Cleveland — Dylan Windler (Out — stress reaction)

Toronto — Fred VanVleet (Out — knee), Matt Thomas (Out — finger), Stanley Johnson (Out — groin? Is he still actually out? Who’s to say!)