Overview
- The group-stage game tips at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday at Rocket Arena and marks the in-season tournament opener for both teams.
- Donovan Mitchell is listed as questionable with a hamstring issue, while Darius Garland, Max Strus and Sam Merrill are out for Cleveland.
- Jarrett Allen is questionable with a finger injury for the Cavaliers, and Toronto will be without starting center Jakob Poeltl due to a back injury.
- Cleveland returns home after a 125-105 loss to Boston that coach Kenny Atkinson called an across-the-board outplaying, highlighting concerns about effort and rebounding.
- Toronto enters at 1-4 after four straight losses and severe rebounding woes, with the matchup spotlighting Evan Mobley’s defense against an undersized Raptors front line.