The Chris Boshless Toronto Raptors are in for a fight when they head to La La Land to take on the L.A. Lakers tonight. The Lakers saw a six game win streak snapped by Sacramento while the Raptors struggle without their top player. Sportsbook.com has the Lakers as 11 ½-point favs over the Raptors with the over/under listed at 212 ½. Get your NBA Pick in now at Sportsbook.com
The Lakers are coming off a huge upset to the Sacramento Kings Sunday, losing 113-114 as 13 ½-point home favs. With a tight race for the West this was not what the Lakers expected. They fell behind 71-60 at halftime and couldn't complete the comeback for a victory. The Lakers have averaged 113 PPG in their last five games and they’ve been shooting 47% from the field during this period. Winning tonight is a MUST since the Lakers, who lead the Pacific Division by three games over Phoenix, begin a brutal four-game road trip Friday. They'll visit New Orleans, Houston, Dallas and Utah in a span of seven days. Kobe Bryant has the second best scoring average against the Raptors, he averages 28 PPG, not to mention his 81pt game on Jan 22, 2006. The last three meetings between the Lakers and Raptors, in L.A., the Lakers have won by an average 15pts. The Lakers are 17-12 ATS at home and 20-14-1 ATS on one day’s rest. They are 22-8 overall at home. Get your NBA Pick in now!
The Raptors are 2-3 SU without Bosh in the lineup, who averages 22 PPG and 8 RPG. He is their go to guy. They did, however, get a win over Seattle as 12-point home favs. Anthony Parker scored 23pts and Nesterovic matched a season high with 17pts as Toronto converted 21 turnovers into 30 points and avoided a third straight home loss. The Raptors finished with 26 assists and had six players score in double figures. They’ve averaged 102 PPG in their last five and their 3-point shooting and rebounding has dropped dramatically. On the road, however, the Raptors are good for a low 98 PPG and they give up an average 96 PPG. They are 18-12 over/under away from home and 15-15 on the road overall.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Lakers are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Lakers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 Tuesday games
- Raptors are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Pacific.
- Raptors are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Raptors are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
GAME: Toronto Raptors (34-28) at L.A. Lakers Lakers (44-19)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, March 11 – 10:30 PM EST
LINE: Sportsbook.com TOTAL: 212 ½
PICK: Lakers -11 ½
Bottom Line: Lakers, Lakers, Lakers. Need I say more! Last three games in L.A. have been wins by an average 15 points. Get your NBA Pick in now at Sportsbook.com
