Bryan Armetta shares his preview, prediction and pick for Thursday’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Toronto Raptors.
The Lakers are a long way from home tonight, traveling across the border for a date with the Raptors. Toronto has turned heads this season, jumping out to a 15-7 record in the wide-open Eastern Conference. Los Angeles has impressed as well, currently sitting at second in the West, behind only the defending champion Thunder. However, Luka Doncic (personal) won’t be in action tonight for LA.
Can the Purple and Gold earn a win without their face of the franchise? Below is my preview, prediction and pick for Thursday’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors are 2.5-point favorites (-110) over the Lakers on DraftKings Sportsbook. Toronto is favored at -142 on the moneyline. The total is set at 228.5 points.
Lakers vs. Raptors prediction, preview
As previously mentioned, Doncic has already been ruled out for tonight’s contest. Still, these are the Lakers – star power is never lacking in SoCal. LeBron James’ return has boosted an already stellar squad, giving head coach JJ Redick multiple distributors on the floor. Since making his return last month, LBJ is averaging 15.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists. The scoring hasn’t been great, but the all-around production is still outstanding for the 40-year-old. It’s not as if The King is doing it all by himself. Austin Reaves continues to progress, making a real push to earn his first career All-Star Game selection. Through 17 games, the guard has recorded 28.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists while shooting 52% from the field (36% 3PT).
Defense has been a bigger issue for Los Angeles this season. Over their last three games, the team has allowed the seventh-most points per game (121.7). The Lakers only rank 18th in the NBA with a 116.2 defensive rating; in comparison, their offensive rating is sixth (119.5). In addition to Doncic, guard Marcus Smart (back) has also been ruled out tonight. That could make things even easier on the perimeter for Toronto. Given LA’s depth issues, Gabe Vincent should serve as starting point guard on Tuesday. After that, some combination of Dalton Knecht and Bronny James could see an expanded role.
The Lakers aren’t the only club dealing with injury issues. RJ Barrett remains sidelined with a knee sprain. Wing Ochai Agbaji (personal) and center Jakob Poeltl (rest) have also been ruled out tonight. The latter’s absence looms large, especially given Toronto’s lack of depth down low. More minutes should be in store for Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili. On paper, that’s a decisive advantage for Los Angeles and big man Deandre Ayton.
With that being said, the Raptors have emerged as one of the NBA’s stingiest units. Their defensive rating is 112.4, good enough for sixth-best in basketball. On offense, most of Toronto’s production revolves around Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes. Combined, the two are putting up 41.8 points, 13.6 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game. The latter of the two has also chipped in with 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks. A wing-heavy approach could pay dividends against a Lakers squad missing Smart. Guard Immanuel Quickley has also done his part with 16.3 points and 6.4 assists per game.
Lakers vs. Raptors pick, best bet
Los Angeles’ defense has declined recently, whereas the Raptors are in need of more scoring in Barrett’s absence. Poeltl’s injury looms large, but the Lakers aren’t operating at full speed without Doncic and Smart, either. LeBron is still getting re-adjusted to the NBA, and Reaves alone isn’t enough against an elite defense. In comparison, the trio of Barnes, Ingram and Quickley gives Toronto several options on offense. Keeping that in mind, expect the home team to grind out another quality win on Tuesday.