Raptors vs Lakers Picks and Predictions: Toronto Set To Wallop Lakeshow

The Toronto Raptors are a basketball team that makes absolutely no sense. The Raptors are a big favorite? They’ll lose outright. Expect them to lose in back-to-back games against two of the top teams in the Western Conference? Straight-up wins.

So, what can you expect from the Raps when they continue their west coast road trip against a red-hot LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, this time as road chalk?

Let’s try to find out that answer together in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Raptors vs. Lakers on March 14.

Raptors vs Lakers odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Raptors opened this matchup as 5-point road underdogs, but early bettors are jumping on LeBron and the Lakers, already bringing the number down to 4.0 at some sportsbooks. The total hit the board at 224.5 and has been bet up slightly to 225.5.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Raptors vs Lakers predictions

• Prediction: Raptors -4.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 225 (-110)
• Best bet: Scottie Barnes Over 16.5 points (-130)

Predictions made on 3/14/2022 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Raptors vs Lakers game info

• Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Monday, March 14, 2022
• Tip-off: 9:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Sportsnet LA- Los Angeles, Sportsnet

Raptors vs Lakers betting preview

Key injuries

Raptors: Fred VanVleet PG (Questionable), OG Anunoby SF (Out), Malachi Flynn PG (Out).
Lakers: Anthony Davis PF (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Raptors are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games as a road favorite while the Lakers are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Lakers.

Raptors vs Lakers picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Spread analysis

The Raptors make no sense.

Just a few games ago Toronto lost back-to-back games to the Pistons and Magic. Both games were at home, and both closed with it as 8-point favorites.

After splitting its next two games it was saddled with another back-to-back, at Phoenix, and Denver. The Raps were 4.5 and 7.5-point underdogs against two of the best teams in the West, so losses were not only predicted but downright expected.

So, of course, they won both contests in a somewhat convincing fashion to boot. Now the question remains, what do they do tonight against a suddenly red-hot LeBron James and his Lakers as slight road favorites?

James has been flexing his muscles of late, putting up two 50-point performances over his last four games powering his team to victories over the Wizards and Warriors. 

However, those wins were the only two in the Lakers' last nine games, a stretch which not surprisingly coincides with Anthony Davis’ latest injury. The injury to Day-to-Davis has once again shown their lack of depth as the rest of the team continues to struggle. 

Even with Bron’s offensive outbursts, L.A. ranks 26th in offensive rating in this latest stretch without AD while ranking 26th in defensive rating over that same span. And now it'll play its second game in as many nights.

This game is about as confusing as it gets for me to handicap. Oddsmakers expect a win for the Raptors, but as a person who watches every one of their games, I think the line is too inflated in Toronto's favor.

This probably means you should lean with the Lakers getting points at home, particularly if you factor in the way LeBron has owned LeBronto- sorry Toronto over the years. 

But that’s my logical brain thinking, and that has not been the way the Raptors operate lately. So, because I expect them not to live up to expectations, they will probably play their butts off again. 

Make sense? No? Perfect. Raps win and cover.

Prediction: Raptors -4.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

When it comes to the total, the number has stuck pretty close to the opening number, but my gut reaction is to lean towards the Over. And that all begins with the Lakers’ defense.

The L.A. defense just has no teeth when AD isn't playing and it’s quite obvious how much he is missed on that end of the floor. Without him it ranks 27th in scoring defense, allowing 121.1 points per game. 

Now, the Raptors' offense is obviously much better when Fred VanVleet is on the court and he is still questionable for this matchup as he nurses his knee injury.  If the likes of Pascal Siakam, Gary Trent Jr., and Scottie Barnes can all put together solid games their offense can still be successful.

They just put up 127 points against a Nuggets team that ranks ninth in defensive rating since coming out of the All-Star break, and now get to face a Lakers team that just gave up 140 points to the Suns.

Despite the Lakers’ struggles on offense, they are still putting up 116.3 ppg over the last six games. Even though the Raptors’ defense is usually solid, they have allowed 110.1 ppg since the All-Star break.

Factor those two statistics in and there should be just enough points scored to reach the Over tonight.

Prediction: Over 225 (-110)

Best bet

Scottie Barnes is making a strong push to get back in the race for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Barnes has done it all for the Raps since coming out of the All-Star break, averaging 19 ppg on 57.4% shooting from the field while adding 8.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 blocks per games. 

Obviously, we have spoken at length about the Lakers’ struggles on defense without AD, so Barnes should have a great chance to keep those numbers up.

There is a small chance LeBron tries to give him a proper welcome to the NBA moment in their first-ever career meeting but more than likely James will be preoccupied with doing all he can for the L.A. on offense.

To put it lightly, The King isn't exactly turning any heads with his defensive play this year, unless they're turning it to look away from the horror. 

Barnes has gone Over this number seven times over this 10-game stretch so, we’re betting Scottie will be motivated to keep this play up and show LeBron in person he is the real deal.

Pick: Scottie Barnes Over 16.5 points (-130)

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