The Toronto Raptors are in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena for a showdown against the reeling Lakers. When you think it can’t get any worse for the Lakers, they lose by nearly 30 points.
The Lakers are coming off a 140-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns last night. The Suns are a good team, but my goodness, the Lakers just laid down and didn’t give up any resistance.
It was a foregone conclusion after just the first quarter. The Suns had a 48-22 lead after the first quarter. If you didn’t have money on the game, it was an easy one to turn off in a blowout.
The first. The only.
The King. pic.twitter.com/tEKrpIlu7e
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 14, 2022
LeBron James had another 30-point game, but it’s not equating to team success. He could win the scoring race, while the Lakers don’t even go to the playoffs.
The Lakers are heading into tonight at 29-38. They are currently the ninth-best in the Western Conference and would be going to the play-in tournament.
It doesn’t matter how many points LeBron scores; if this team doesn’t get back and isn’t interested in playing defense, then the losses will continue to pile up high.
The Raptors are in Los Angeles looking for their fourth straight win. There is work to do before the Raptors are a serious contender again, but you can’t fault their direction.
Scottie Barnes is on track to be a star for a long time in the NBA. He’s already doing things on both ends of the floor that a lot of veterans don’t. His basketball IQ is through the roof, and it’ll only get better.
Put on a clinic this week.@LGCanada | #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/TDdZU8l2lZ
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 13, 2022
On Saturday, the Raptors most recently looked impressive in a 127-115 win over the Denver Nuggets. They have been in good form with a 119-104 win over the Spurs, 117-112 over the Suns, and the Nuggets fell next.
Head below for our free Raptors vs. Lakers prediction on March 14, 2022.
Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds and Team Statistics:
The following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Toronto Raptors | -5 (-115) | -205 | Over 224.5 (-110) |
LA Lakers | -5 (-105) | +175 | Under 224.5 (-110) |
Team Data | Toronto Raptors | LA Lakers |
---|---|---|
Overall Record | 37-30 | 29-38 |
ATS Record | 38-29-0 | 28-38-1 |
Away/Home Record | 20-15 | 20-16 |
ATS Away/Home | 22-13-0 | 15-20-1 |
Points Per Game | 108.8 | 111.1 |
Points Against Per Game | 107.4 | 113.6 |
Field Goal % | 44.3 | 46.6 |
Three Point % | 35.4 | 35.0 |
Raptors vs. Lakers Prediction:
On Monday night, the Raptors should find playing this paper-thin Lakers’ defense a pleasure. It’s been such a difference from last season. The Lakers relied on their defense to win games. This has not been the case in 2021-22.
They are one of the worst and most frustrating defenses in the NBA. Adding Russell Westbrook to this team and subtracting Alex Caruso has sucked the defensive intensity right out of the Lakers.
The Lakers are 27th in the NBA with 113.6 points against per game. Turnovers have been a significant issue for the Lakers. Only five players in the league have turned the ball over more than Westbrook.
James isn’t that far behind, either. For all of the points that the Lakers are scoring, he’s 256th, only four spots behind Westbrook in turnovers.
They touch the ball the most on the Lakers, so teams have easy points often on the other side. This team is getting lucky at the free-throw line, too.
Teams have done the worst against the Lakers at the free-throw line. Opponents have shot just 73.8% from the charity stripe, so they’ve even caught some breaks in that regard. Despite this, the Lakers are still 27th in points against.
Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends:
- 4-1 ATS in their previous five games on the road
- 9-3 ATS in their previous 12 games after covering the spread
- 10-1 ATS in their previous 11 games versus the Lakers
- 2-6 ATS in their previous eight games as a betting favorite
- OVER is 3-1 in their previous four games versus the Lakers
- 5-1 ATS in their previous six games on a back-to-back
- 3-1-1 ATS in their previous five games as an underdog at home
- OVER is 5-1 in their previous six games
- OVER is 8-3 in their previous 11 games as an underdog
- OVER is 4-0 in their previous four games after a loss
The Raptors have some of the most underrated offensive weapons in the NBA. Gary Trent Jr. has been everything and more for the Raptors.
It was tough to part ways with Norman Powell, but this has worked out well. If Trent Jr. doesn’t have a big game, it’s likely that Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes pick it up.
Siakam had a down season a year ago and was the brunt of the criticism, but he’s been a go-to option. The Raptors should score on a Lakers team that finds playing defense optional.
The Lakers have scored at least 110 points in six straight games, but the defense is taking a beating. The Lakers have conceded 124.2 points per game through their last five attempts while scoring 119.4 points per game.
Shooting around 50% is nice, but when the defense allows a 52% field goal percentage, it doesn’t mean much other than LeBron’s personal accomplishments.
They aren’t giving up 140 points tonight, but it should still be a high-scoring contest. The OVER looks like the right play in this spot.
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