Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors betting tips and predictions for Monday’s NBA game. LeBron James looks to continue his high scoring streak in home games as his Lakers welcome the Toronto Raptors to town in the 1st of 2 meetings this regular season. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
- Start date: 14.03.2022 at 9:30 PM
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have lost 3 of their last 4 games despite the brilliance of LeBron James who has scored 50+ points in consecutive games at the Crypto.com Arena. Last night the Lakers got destroyed by the defending Western Conference champions Phoenix Suns 140-111, LeBron finished the game with 31 points and 6 assists becoming the first player in NBA history to have 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists.
The game was pretty much over after the first quarter when the Lakers got outscored 48-22 and the rest of the game was on cruise control for both sides. With that loss LA is now just 1.5 games ahead of New Orleans for the 10th and final play-in tournament spot, with the 11th placed Blazers back a further game.
This team hasn’t had much luck against the Raptors lately. They did split the season series last year, but before that the Raptors had won 11 in a row head-to-head.
Toronto Raptors
Although he didn’t make the all-star team this year, Pascal Siakam has certainly played like one as he is carrying these Raptors to the 7th seed in the East which not a lot of people expected to happen before the season.
He had a very efficient 33 points in the win at Denver the other night as the Raptors pulled one out despite allowing the Nuggets to shoot 55% from the field. They are now 20-15 SU in road games this season which is one of the better records in their conference and against a Lakers side really struggling at the moment it should be a lot easier.
The only worry ahead of tonight’s game is the status of Fred VanVleet who has been listed as day-to-day with a knee issue. Raptors are currently on a 3-game West coast win streak beating the likes of the Spurs, Suns and Nuggets.
The Raptors are favored by 5.5 points for a reason here, they are just a much better team overall that the Lakers. LA playing last night doesn’t do them any favors, I wouldn’t be surprised if LeBron James took the night off due to fatigue. Give me the road team here.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors Predictions & Odds
The oddsmakers setting the projected total to 226.5 points here is very generous and I think we should all take advantage of that. The last 5 Lakers games have all gone over that number, while for Toronto this has happened in their last 2 games. The previous meeting between these 2 teams also went over 226.5 points as it finished 121-114 in favour of the Raptors.
Toronto doesn’t really play a fast pace this season as they rank only 25th averaging 98.9 possessions per game, but they’ve shown they have the ability to turn it up in their last few games. They’ve averaged 121 points per game over their last 3 outings, while also allowing 110.3 per game during that stretch.
The Lakers have also put up some decent numbers lately averaging 121 per game in their last 3, but the defence has been a no-show and Phoenix just dropped 140 on the last night, including 48 in the opening quarter. With LA allowing 129.3 points per game in their last 3 (2nd highest mark in the NBA) I think we should opt for the over in this game.
