Lakers vs. Raptors Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
The defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers visit Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, although they will look little like the champs. They’ll face the Toronto Raptors, who are in the second game of a back-to-back and opened as 2.5-point favourites on the NBA odds with a total of 215.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
If LeBron James and Anthony Davis were healthy this would have arguably been the biggest pro basketball event ever in Tampa, but both remain out multiple weeks. Los Angeles has now been passed by the even more star-studded Brooklyn Nets as favourites to win the 2021 NBA title.
Looking to improve the point guard position, there was some talk the Lakers were interested in dealing for Kyle Lowry ahead of the recent Trade Deadline, but L.A. didn’t have any assets that interested Toronto. Perhaps Lowry could be lured as a free agent in the offseason? LeBron can be convincing.
This is the first meeting of the season between the teams. They’ll meet again in Los Angeles on May 2. Toronto has swept the season series five straight years – the Dinos won the two games last season by an average score of 110-98. LeBron averaged 16.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 10.0 assists over those games. Davis averaged 20.5 points and 7.0 rebounds.
Toronto has covered the spread the past four home meetings in this series. The Under is 8-3 in the previous 11 games.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers technically are 1-1 on a seven-game road trip, but Sunday’s game was in their own building in L.A. against the Clippers, who rolled to a 104-86 victory. As noted above, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are out long term. Also missing Sunday were centre and new signing Andre Drummond and swingman Wesley Matthews due to injury. Perhaps Matthews will return here but it doesn’t sound like Drummond will. Former Raptor Marc Gasol essentially had fallen out of the rotation when Drummond was signed but has continued to start with Drummond out. The Lakers are 13-10 all-time as the road team versus the Raptors. L.A. has no Canadians on the roster.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto has won back-to-back games for the first time since mid-February. They’re coming off a 103-101 comeback victory in Tampa over Washington on Monday, despite playing without the injured Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet. Down as much as 19 in the second half, trade acquisition Gary Trent Jr. won it with a three-pointer at the buzzer. He finished with 16 points. Malachi Flynn was terrific in heavy minutes (off the bench) in place of VanVleet with 16 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals. Pascal Siakam led Toronto with 22 points. Lowry won’t play Tuesday and VanVleet is likely again as well. The Raptors are 1-4 against the spread in the second game of their past five back-to-back’s.
LAL
TOR