Jan. 18, 2026, 10:41 a.m. ET

The Toronto Raptors (25-18) visit the Los Angeles Lakers (24-16) Sunday. Tip-off from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, is set for 9:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Raptors vs. Lakers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Lakers lead 1-0

Toronto was handed a 121-117 OT loss by the LA Clippers Friday. It failed to cover as a 2.5-point home favorite and the Over (213.5) hit. The Raptors led for the majority of the game but were outscored 43-28 across the fourth quarter and OT to blow the lead. Toronto turned the ball over 18 times, resulting in 24 easy points for LA.

Los Angeles was routed 132-116 by the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday. The Lakers failed to cover as a 3.5-point road underdog and the Over (223.5) hit. L.A. was dominated 42-27 on the glass and also gave up 21 points off turnovers. The Lakers have lost 5 of their last 6 games and have allowed at least 120 points in each of their last 3 losses.

The Lakers escaped with a 123-120 win in the first matchup between these squads, covering as 2.5-point road underdogs as the Over (228.5) cashed Dec. 4. G Austin Reaves went off for 44 points and 10 assists to carry the Lakers to the win. The Raptors allowed 21 points off turnovers but held a 58-46 edge in points in the paint.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Raptors at Lakers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:41 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Raptors -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Lakers +110 (bet $100 to win $110)Against the spread (ATS): Raptors -1.5 (-115) | Lakers +1.5 (-105)Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Raptors at Lakers key injuries

Raptors

F RJ Barrett (ankle) outC Jakob Poeltl (back) outG Immanuel Quickley (back) questionableG Ja’Kobe Walter (hip) out

Lakers

(Not yet submitted — below was for Saturday’s game)

C Deandre Ayton (knee) questionableG Luka Doncic (groin) outC Jaxson Hayes (hamstring) questionableG Austin Reaves (calf) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Raptors at Lakers picks and predictionsPrediction

Raptors 121, Lakers 113

BET RAPTORS (-135).

If neither Ayton nor Hayes is able to go, look for the Lakers to struggle on the glass in a similar fashion to what we saw against Portland. Furthermore, with Doncic and Reaves out, L.A. simply won’t have enough offense to pick up the win here.

The Lakers have been terrible defensively as of late, ranking 25th in defensive rating this season and allowing more than 120 points in 5 of their last 10 games. Toronto should force turnovers, dominate the glass and get out in transition to beat L.A.

PASS.

I lean toward the Raptors covering as -1.5 (-115) favorites against an injured Lakers team, but I recommend passing and focusing on the moneyline and/or total with both teams dealing with so many injuries. That said, if you’re extremely confident in Toronto, a small wager could be worth the risk, as this projects as a comfortable Raptors win.

BET OVER 224.5 (-110).

The Over has hit in all of L.A.’s last 4 games and is 24-16 in Lakers games this season. For Toronto, the Over is 3-2 in its last 5 games. The Over has also hit in 8 of the last 10 meetings between these teams, including going 2-1 in the last 3 matchups in Los Angeles.

Given how poorly the Lakers have defended, there isn’t an offense in the league that can’t put up at least 120 points on this team, making the Over a strong play here.

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