Los Angeles Lakers vs. Toronto Raptors Prediction, NBA Odds

Edgar Chaput | Updated Nov 01, 2024

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Cleveland Cavaliers

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LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers head to Toronto to play an undermanned Raptors squad on Friday night.

L.A. Lakers
12-9
AT
November 01, 2024, 7:30 PM ET
Scotiabank Arena
Toronto
7-15
Pointspread -8.5 -115
Moneyline -400
Over / Under o +232.5
Matchup Odds
Pointspread +8.5 -105
Moneyline +310
Over / Under u +232.5
Matchup Odds

At this early stage of the new NBA season, it’s interesting to see how certain teams have changed, evolved, or stayed exactly as they were in 2023-24. The Lakers had their fans jumping after a 3-0 start, but have since fallen twice in a row, including a 134-100 shellacking at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. In Toronto, the Raptors are struggling, thanks in no small part to a plethora of injuries. They did the best they could on Wednesday in Charlotte versus the Hornets but lost 138-133.

Our NBA odds have the visiting Lakers as significant -8.5 favourites.

Lakers vs. Raptors NBA Betting Odds

It’s been nearly two full years since Toronto got the better of the Lake Show on the hardwood floor. Their last win was in December 2022 at home. Since then, L.A. has rattled off a trio of victories. In fact, they’ve taken four of the last five meetings, including two in Ontario’s capital.

With spreads like -1 and -1.5 during the first three games of the campaign, it’s no wonder L.A. has started hot against the spread. Overall, they are 4-1, with the loss courtesy of what transpired in Cleveland, LeBron’s old stomping ground. Anthony Davis is on a heater through two weeks, averaging 30.6 points per game. Of note, the Raptors and Lakers are the 10th and 11th highest-scoring sides in the NBA, netting 116.0 and 115.8 points, respectively.

The Raptors may be struggling on the scoreline, but betters are enjoying themselves. At 4-1 ATS, Toronto is a rather good proposition. They’ve covered four times in a row despite some pretty considerable spreads (+8 and +14.5). But the club can only accomplish so much without the services of Scottie Barnes (orbital fracture), Immanuel Quickley (pelvis), and Kelly Olynyk (back).

Los Angeles Lakers

It was a special night when the Lakers visited the Cavaliers. Special for personal, James family-related reasons. Special, also, because the Cavs blew the doors off their opponent in a statement match.

LeBron returning to the city where he won his third championship is always a big deal, as was the fact that his son Bronny James netted his first NBA bucket. Other than that, this was a game to forget for L.A. and head coach JJ Redick. The Lakers committed 21 turnovers, which translated to 31 points for Cleveland. For a Lakers team with such power and size in the paint, it was the Cavs who won that battle 68-56. Davis earned a double-double (22 points and 13 boards) but that was about it. Cam Reddish was the only Laker to finish with a positive plus-minus rating (+1 in nine minutes).

2024 first round pick Dalton Knecht, who has endeared himself to the Lakers fans, had 18 points off the bench.

Toronto Raptors

There might have been some hope that, even with a banged-up group, a trip to Charlotte to play the perennially mediocre Hornets was what the doctor ordered for the Raptors.

It was not so, although Toronto did keep the game competitive in the second half. The Raptors were the more efficient group overall (57.1 per cent to Charlotte’s 52.1) but were dominated from long range (32.1 per cent to 44.4). On the eve of Halloween, an old boogeyman, the free throw, tormented the Dinos as they went 20-for-30 from the line. Defensively, this team looks like a mess now. Granted, they’re playing with a lot of backups, but it looks like Swiss cheese sometimes.

That said, RJ Barrett looked more like his old self, netting 30 points off 10-for-18 shooting. Davion Mitchell, a 2021 draftee, had his best game this season, dishing out 11 assists.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Raptors?

NBA Predictions
SportsInteraction
  • LAL
  • -8.5 +8.5
  • TOR
Matchup NBA Odds