Los Angeles Lakers at Toronto Raptors Betting Preview/Prop Picks

The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a tough spot in the Western Conference. They’re currently at the No.9 spot and on a three-game losing streak. If they want any chance at making the playoffs, they’ll need to start winning games.

However, this has been easier said than done for the struggling Lakers. They’ll face off against the Toronto Raptors in hopes of a win tonight.

The Toronto Raptors are in a similar spot in the Eastern Conference, currently ranked seventh. Behind them is the Brooklyn Nets, but the Raptors have a good lead over them.

The Raptors also have a five-game win streak going right now; one of these wins is against the Lakers. Can the Raptors take down the Lakers again in this one? Or is there an upset brewing in Toronto?

Los Angeles Lakers: Team chemistry troubles continue

As a team, the Los Angeles Lakers are among the least cohesive in the NBA. They’ve lost three straight games, most recently a 124-104 loss to the Timberwolves.

As an offense, they score an average of 110.86 points per game, ranking 13th in the NBA. Unfortunately, this offense hasn’t turned into very many wins for Los Angeles. This is especially true when they’re on the road.

This season, the Lakers have gone 9-23 when playing on the road. It also doesn’t help that they just lost to the Raptors before they played the Timberwolves.

They were at home against Toronto then; now, they have to travel on the road to face Toronto. If the Lakers want to win this one, they need to play as a team. Something they haven’t done since losing Anthony Davis.

Toronto Raptors: Searching for another win over Los Angeles

The Raptors are a team that understands the importance of team chemistry. Although their offense doesn’t average as many points as the Lakers (108.81), they have more wins.

Scoring points doesn’t always translate to wins and vice versa. The Raptors have been able to win games with good defense and a complimentary offense. Something the Lakers should learn.

Overall, the Raptors have had Los Angeles’s number in the past ten games. Going 9-1 in their last ten meetings, the Raptors are also favored by quite a bit to win this game.

The question we have is whether they can cover such a large spread? When they last played the Lakers, the Raptors won 114-103. Could we see a similar score this time, which would cover the spread?

Los Angeles Lakers at Toronto Raptors Betting Pick

The Los Angeles Lakers have a horrible record against the spread this season. They’ve gone 28-41 against the spread with a 13-19 ATS road record. Taking this into consideration, the much better pick is the Toronto Raptors.

Even though the Raptors are favored by over nine points, they recently beat the Lakers by eleven. They’re also playing at home on Friday night. 

Toronto has gone 39-29-1 against the spread this season, a much better record than the Lakers. There’s also a chance that LeBron James could sit out for Los Angeles tonight.

Even if he decides to play, we think the Raptors will come away with the win here. Take the Raptors to win the game, cover the spread, with the total going OVER.

Prop Picks

Toronto (-115) OVER 117.5 Points

LA is allowing 113.7 points per game on defense, which ranks No. 26 in the league. That average increases to 115.2 points per game on the road. Scores had gone OVER in seven of the Lakers’ last 10 road games.

With Dunkel predicting a Toronto victory by the score of 123-109, take the Raptors (-115) to finish OVER their Vegas team total of 117.5 points against the Lakers.

Pascal Siakam (+100) OVER 24.5 Points

Siakam is averaging 22.0 points per game, which ranks No. 1 on the Raptors. That average increases to 23.4 points per game when Toronto wins and 24.8 points per game over his last 10 games overall.

With Dunkel predicting a Toronto home road win tonight with the Raptors going OVER their team total, take the Siakam (+100) to lead the charge and finish OVER his Vegas total of 24.5 points against the Lakers.

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