Life on the road has been tough for the Toronto Raptors as they get set for a date with the Los Angeles Lakers.
If you think back to the preseason, Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey knew there was going to be a learning curve with this year’s club.
So far, that’s proven accurate as the Raptors have dropped the first three games of their road trip and sit at 7-6 overall as they get set for Friday night’s matchup with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers
Odds: Raptors 7.5-point favourites, total 203
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors promised they would be a tougher defensive team this year, but so far their results have been mixed as best. Toronto has allowed at least 100 points in four of its last six, with sluggish starts in the first quarter becoming a big problem.
“If we don’t get a better start, the only other option is to change that starting lineup,” Casey told reporters. “I don’t know if we’re at that point yet. Believe me, I have every number known to man as far as our woes in the first quarter.”
One of the ugliest numbers Casey is talking about is the team’s 35.1 percent shooting in first quarters, but the major defensive lapses are evident. The Utah Jazz rank 29th in offensive points per game and got a lot of open looks in a 93-89 win over Toronto on Wednesday.
“We are shooting ourselves in the foot with unsound defensive plays and unsound offensive plays,” Casey added. “Until we learn that, it is just going to be the same record.”
Los Angeles Lakers
Anytime Kobe Bryant is in the lineup against the Raptors, you can’t help to think back to when he dropped 81 points against Toronto in 2006. But that was then, this is now.
Bryant continues to drop hints that this will be his last season and it looks like his time is up. He has already missed three games and is barely playing 30 minutes when he does play. Plus, Bryant looks like a shadow of his former self, hitting less than 34 percent of his shots from the floor. He is expected to play tonight.
The Lakers have lost five of their last six and have covered just four point spreads this season.
NBA Picks
With Casey fuming, the Raptors will come to play in L.A. Toronto needs this game to keep this road trip from turning into a disaster.
Prediction: Toronto Raptors 104, Los Angeles Lakers 94.
