Toronto Raptors vs Los Angeles Lakers: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (3/10/23)
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The Toronto Raptors visit the Los Angeles Lakers in a big matchup Friday night. The Raptors are coming off two straight losses, with the last one coming on the road against the Clippers, while the Lakers are coming off a home win against the Grizzlies. This is a big matchup for playoff standings in both conferences. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!
Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
The pick: Los Angeles Lakers +2
The Lakers are in the thick of coming back into playoff contention, and have moved all the way up to the 9 seed in the play-in tournament.
Anthony Davis is the leader of the Lakers now with LeBron out and he’s coming off a monster game against the Grizzlies where he had 30 points and 22 rebounds. He leads the Lakers in points now at 26.5 per game, rebounds at 12.5 per game, and blocks at 2 per game. Lonnie Walker IV, Dennis Schroder, and Malik Beasley are the three players up next to help when needed, due to injuries. Lonnie Walker IV averages 12.7 PPG and 1 steal per game, Dennis Schroder averages 12.6 PPG and 1 steal per game, and Malik Beasley averages 12.2 PPG and 1 steal per game. All three have been key components since the trade deadline for the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the best offensive teams in the NBA. They’re top-10 in scoring at 116.6 PPG and they rebound very well by being 5th in the NBA at 45.9 rebounds per game.
On the other side, Toronto has not been able to find much consistency this year and it’s been frustrating to watch.
Pascal Siakam is their best player. He leads the team at 24.6 PPG and is second in rebounding at 8 per game. Fred VanVleet is up next in scoring at 19 PPG and leads the team in assists at 7 per game. Gary Trent Jr. and O.G. Anunoby are both up next and have been very good on the perimeter. Trent Jr. averages 18 PPG and then O.G. Anunoby averages 16 PPG while also leading the team in steals at 2 per game.
They’re one of the best defensive teams in the NBA and are top-10 points allowed at 112 PPG and they’re top-10 in blocks at 5 per game.
The Lakers are the more consistent team and you can trust them here at home. The Lakers cover and win outright in a very close game down the stretch.
Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds
The Toronto Raptors are 2-point road favorites against the Los Angeles Lakers and are at -135 on the money line. The over/under is also at 224.5. It doesn’t make much sense that Toronto is favored in this game, especially because Anthony Davis is going to play. They are healthier overall, but still. The over/under does make sense because each team is very good on offense.
Betting Trends
Raptors are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Key Matchups
Can Jakob Poetl matchup with Anthony Davis? Can Rui Hachimura matchup with Pascal Siakam?
Anthony Davis vs. Jakob Poetl
Anthony Davis is capable of carrying the Lakers this year. He averages 26.5 points, 2.5 assists, and 12.5 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Jakob Poetl most of the game, who averages 13 points, 3 assists, and 9 rebounds per game for the season. Anthony Davis needs to be a difference maker in order for the Lakers to win this spot.
Pascal Siakam vs. Rui Hachimura
Pascal Siakam has been great and does it all for the Raptors. He averages 25 points, 6 assists, and 8 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Rui Hachimura, who averages 12 points, 1 assist, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. This is going to be a dogfight of a matchup because of how goos each player is on defense. Siakam is also the key for the Raptors.
Toronto Raptors Starting Lineup
PG: Fred VanVleet
SG: O.G. Anunoby
SF: Scottie Barnes
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Jakob Poetl
Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineups
PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: Malik Beasley
SF: Jarred Vanderbilt
PF: Rui Hachimura
C: Anthony Davis
Key Injuries
Toronto Raptors Injuries: SF Otto Porter Jr. (Foot) O, SF Will Barton (Illness) P
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries: SF LeBron James (Foot) O, PF Anthony Davis (Foot) P
