The Toronto Raptors (25-18) and Los Angeles Lakers (24-16) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on SportsNet LA.
The Raptors are 1.5-point favorites over the Lakers on the spread (Raptors -1.5), with the over/under set at 224.5 total points. Toronto is a -125 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Los Angeles is +105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Raptors vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, January 18.
Raptors vs Lakers Prediction
- Raptors vs Lakers pick: Lakers Team Total Over 112.5 (-105)
My Lakers vs Raptors best bet is on Los Angeles to go over its team total over 112.5, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Raptors vs Lakers Odds
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 224.5 -115o / -105u | -125 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 224.5 -115o / -105u | +105 |
Raptors vs Lakers NBA Preview
The Raptors are on pace to win 47 games this season after beginning the campaign with a win total lined at 38.5.
Brandon Ingram has been a quality addition, leading the team in scoring (21.8 PPG) following his arrival before the trade deadline last year. Unfortunately, he had to wait until this season to make his debut after an ankle injury kept him on the sidelines.
Toronto has the eighth-youngest team in the league and continues to build a nice nucleus of players, which includes Ingram, Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett.
Barrett is the team's second-leading scorer (19.6 PPG) but has missed the Raptors' last four games with an ankle injury as Toronto went 2-2 during that span. The former Duke product will miss his fifth straight game before possibly returning to action when the Raptors visit the Warriors.
If we turn to the Lakers, they're also missing one of their big hitters with Austin Reaves likely out for another week as he recovers from a calf injury. During his recent absence, the Lakers are 4-5 over the last nine games and 1-5 in the previous six.
One of those defeats includes Saturday's setback against the Trail Blazers, which Los Angeles lost 132-116. It's worth noting that Lakers' superstar Luka Doncic missed the game due to groin soreness.
My guess is the Lakers' medical team decided to err on the side of caution, given they still had to face the second leg of a back-to-back against Toronto.
Since the Portland game was on the road, Los Angeles would much rather have Doncic available for Sunday's contest. Although Doncic remains on the injury report, he's currently listed as a game-time decision.
Moreover, the Lakers being slight favorites lends credence to the thought that Doncic will suit up.
While my power ratings currently have Toronto slightly ahead of Los Angeles, Barrett's absence is a big miss. However, I'm not entirely convinced enough to put my trust in this Lakers' side.
Raptors vs Lakers Prediction, Betting Analysis
After assessing all the options, our best path for attacking this game might be to focus on a derivative team total. The Lakers have an average total of 232 at home this season, and the over is 15-4 in those games.
With a total of 224.5, this number feels short even against a Raptors team that's 26-17 to the under.
While I'd expect the Raptors to have some offensive struggles without Barrett, I don't envision a scenario where they do enough to slow down this Lakers offense.
The Lakers do a fair share of their scoring from the foul line with the clock turned off, ranking second in attempts (27.5) and free throws made (21.5).
Toronto's defense also gives up the eighth most free throw attempts per game (25.1).
The Lakers are averaging 125 points in their last eight games against the Raptors while scoring at least 113 in each of those games.
Given that we have a Los Angeles team total of 112.5, the over warrants some strong consideration when settling on our best bet.
Pick: Lakers Team Total Over 112.5 (-105, DraftKings)
