Game thread: Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

As I watched the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers tip off the 2022-23 season last night, I was struck by a very simple thought: I really missed NBA basketball.

The NBA has become a year-round, ‘round-the-clock sport, with the offseason drama as important as the games themselves — to some. But for me, grumpy, ornery old man that I am, I find the offseason endlessly tiring. I would much rather have a three-month, no-NBA break and come back to the season fresh! Alas.

Getting to watch real games last night was a great reminder that (ahem) I love this game. No offseason drama in the world can compare with watching the best basketball players in the world go at it.

Of course, as a Toronto Raptors fan, it’s that much better when it’s our team on the floor! And we finally get to experience that tonight as they face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

On the injury update front, both Khem Birch and Chris Boucher have been downgraded to out, along with Otto Porter, which is a bummer — those are three big rotation pieces to be missing against the big Cavs frontline.

Who's excited!? Let’s NBA!!

Where to watch:

TSN, 7:30PM EST

Lineups:

Toronto — Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., O.G. Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam

Cleveland — Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Caris Levert, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Injuries:

Toronto — Khem Birch (knee — out), Chris Boucher (hamstring — out), Otto Porter Jr. (hamstring — out),

Cleveland — Ricky Rubio (ACL — out), Dylan Windler (ankle — out), Mamadi Diakite (not with team — out)