The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to make some noise in the Eastern Conference this season, barring injuries of course. They also now know who their first opponent will be to kick off the campaign. The Cavs are set to face the Toronto Raptors on October 19th on the road.
As noted, the full schedule will be released on Wednesday afternoon. This Cavs-Raptors matchup should be an entertaining one after Cleveland got the better of Toronto in 2021-22, winning three out of four, including a 45-point blowout on Boxing Day.
The Cavs big 3 of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen have big expectations and if the team can manage to re-sign Collin Sexton as well, it will make them even better. The club also reunited with Ricky Rubio, a key piece of the second unit who they traded to the Pacers in the Caris LeVert deal in March.
Cleveland was in the top-six in the Eastern Conference for most of last season until injuries hit Mobley and Allen. They ultimately fell into a play-in spot as Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks wiped them out on their home floor.
A healthy Cavs team is absolutely a dark horse in the heavily-packed East. Injuries are going to happen, but only one can hope the stars on J.B. Bickerstaff’s squad can stay on the court.
The Raptors will be a good early test for Garland and Co. as they look to get started on the right foot from day one.
