The Los Angeles Lakers (15-5) and Toronto Raptors (15-7) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The game will broadcast live on SportsNet LA.
The Raptors are 2.5-point favorites on the spread (Raptors -2.5), with the over/under set at 228.5 total points. Toronto is a -140 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Los Angeles is +120 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Lakers vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, December 4.
My Lakers vs Raptors Prediction
- Lakers vs Raptors pick: Scottie Barnes Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120)
My Lakers vs Raptors best bet is on Scottie Barnes to go over his PRA total. As always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Lakers vs Raptors Odds
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -115 | 228.5 -112o / -108u | +120 |
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -105 | 228.5 -112o / -108u | -140 |
Lakers vs Raptors NBA Preview
The Raptors, at 4-5 against the spread, are one of the weaker home favorites this season, whilst the Lakers — 4-1 as a road underdog — are third best in this spot.
However, the only teams ahead of them as a road dog ATS, Detroit and Houston, are 2-0 each, an even tinier sample size than what the Lakers are bringing to Toronto.
Both teams are on the front end of a back-to-back, and relative to the public, both teams are playing above their heads in some form.
The Lakers are coming into tonight after having their seven-game winning streak snapped by the Suns at home, 125-108, on Monday.
Tomorrow, L.A. will be in Boston to renew one of the league's biggest rivalries.
Toronto won nine consecutive games before losing two straight to the Hornets and Knicks, respectively, a skid they snapped by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 121-118 on Tuesday.
The Raptors host Charlotte tomorrow in a revenge spot.
The key absence tonight is Luka Doncic, who will sit out for personal reasons, with Marcus Smart (back) also out for the Lakers.
Toronto will again be without RJ Barrett (knee) and Jakob Poeltl (rest).
Lakers vs Raptors Prediction, Betting Analysis
Scottie Barnes over 34.5 points + rebounds + assists is where I'm looking tonight.
I wanted either Barnes or Sandro Mamukelashvili, but his props are a little high for my liking, given his recent play. Barnes will be without Barrett and Poeltl again.
Without Barrett, in particular, Barnes has averaged 23.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
Without Poeltl, Barnes will undoubtedly see more rebounding opportunities, and without Barrett, more scoring and more potential assists, thanks to increased ball-handling opportunities alongside Brandon Ingram.
Barnes is over this number in four of five games, all of which are the contests that Barrett missed.
Pick: Scottie Barnes Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120)
Spread
I'm not betting either side of the spread in this game.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm backing Scottie Barnes to go over his PRA total.
Raptors vs Lakers Betting Trends
