First Pick: Raptors Moneyline

The Los Angeles Clippers (17-23) open a three-game road trip with a cross-border matchup against the Toronto Raptors (25-17) on Friday night at Scotiabank Arena.

Los Angeles enters the contest playing some of its best basketball of the season, riding a four-game winning streak and having won 12 of its last 14 games overall. After opening the year at 6-21, the Clippers have surged back into the Western Conference playoff conversation behind improved defensive efficiency and steadier offensive execution. However, LA will be without a key piece, as Kawhi Leonard is set to miss the matchup against his former team due to an ankle injury, leaving a sizable scoring and usage void in the lineup.

Toronto, meanwhile, looks to build momentum after a convincing 14-point road win in Indiana as it continues to chase the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The Raptors currently sit one game behind the first-place Boston Celtics and have been especially strong at home, where opponents have managed just a 9-13 record this season. Toronto’s ability to control pace and capitalize on home-court advantage has been a defining factor in its success.

With Leonard sidelined, Toronto’s home presence and Los Angeles’ struggles on the road, expect the Raptors to secure a victory on Friday night.

Second Pick: Los Angeles Kings Moneyline

Rundown: The Anaheim Ducks (22-21-3) head up the freeway to face their crosstown rival Los Angeles Kings (19-16-11) in a Southern California showdown between two teams fighting for position in a crowded Western Conference.

Anaheim enters Friday night riding momentum from its most complete 60-minute effort of the season, a 3-1 road win over Dallas that snapped a nine-game losing streak. The Ducks pulled off the victory despite missing their top three scorers — Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry and Cutter Gauthier. All three remain day-to-day and are listed as questionable, making lineup health a key storyline to monitor heading into puck drop.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, is searching for consistency on home ice after dropping three straight games at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings have particularly struggled in extended games, losing the second-most contests that have gone beyond regulation, an issue that has cost them valuable points in the standings.

With divisional implications on the line and Los Angeles eager to halt its home slide, expect the Kings to bring urgency and physicality as they look to claim the first of back-to-back meetings between Pacific Division foes.