The Toronto Raptors (32-15) square off with the Los Angeles Lakers (19-29) at Air Canada Centre. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 28, 2018, and will air on The Sports Network.
Toronto opened as a 10-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 217 points.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Toronto Raptors Free Prediction
In the Lakers’ last matchup, they defeated the Chicago Bulls, 108-103. The Lakers had an extraordinarily low turnover percentage of 8.0 (better than their season average of 13.7) and had a free throw rate of 0.231 (above their season average of 0.177). With 25 points on 10-for-18 shooting, Brandon Ingram was the top scorer from either team.
The Raptors fell to the Utah Jazz in their last matchup, 97-93. Utah’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Toronto. The Jazz had a rate of 0.172 (below their season average of 0.194), while the Raptors posted a mark of 0.126 (below their season average of 0.210). With 28 points on 12-for-16 shooting, Jonas Valanciunas was the game’s high scorer.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, Toronto figures to have a substantial edge. The Raptors defense ranks fourth in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.500), while the Los Angeles offense is ranked 22nd in effective field goal percentage (0.507).
Los Angeles comes into the game with records of 19-29 straight up (SU) and 25-23 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Lakers have a slight tendency to go over the total (52.1 percent).
Meanwhile, Toronto is 32-15 SU and 25-22 ATS. A little over half of Raptors games have also finished over the total.
Julius Randle has averaged 16.0 points and 7.8 rebounds over the last five games for Los Angeles.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Lakers lost 101-92, unable to cover as 6-point underdogs. Randle put up 18 points and five rebounds. The game finished with a total of 193 points, which was 28 points below the projected point total of 221 points. Toronto had a much better turnover percentage (10.5 vs. 19.0). Los Angeles, on the other hand, did a great job of converting from the charity stripe (17-24; 70.8 percent).
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Toronto Raptors Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Los Angeles is 11-11 ATS with 12 unders and 10 overs.
At home, Toronto is 11-10 ATS with 11 unders and 10 overs.
Toronto is 15-5 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Los Angeles is 8-3.
When scoring over 100 points, the Lakers are 16-16 and the Raptors are 29-8.
Toronto ranks second in blocks per game (6.2) while Los Angeles ranks last in blocks allowed per game (5.7).
The Raptors average 18.7 points off turnovers per game, which ranks first in the league. The Lakers rank 28th in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.2).
Los Angeles ranks fourth in second chance points per game (14.1) while Toronto ranks 28th in second chance points allowed per game (13.6).
The Raptors rank sixth in points in the paint per game (48.0) while the Lakers rank 28th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.8).
Toronto ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (25.4) while Los Angeles ranks 22nd (30.1).
The Lakers rank second in fast break points per game (17.4) while the Raptors rank 22nd in fast break points allowed per game (12.3).
Toronto ranks seventh in steals per game (8.4) while Los Angeles ranks 19th in steals allowed per game (8.0).
The Lakers rank third in rebounds per game (46.3) while the Raptors rank 15th (43.7).
Los Angeles averages 23.6 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Toronto ranks 10th in assists allowed per game (22.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Toronto is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Lakers have outscored opponents by an average of 3.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Los Angeles has lost by an average of 3.1 points.
During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 98.4 points per game (12.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 95.8 points per game (7.9 below their season average).
