A new era of LeBronto begins as Bronny James, his dad, and the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Toronto Raptors on Friday, November 1.
The Lakers have dropped the first two games of this road trip after a 3-0 start but will still be big favorites against a depleted Raps roster.
But will L.A. overlook a certain Toronto big? My Raptors vs. Lakers predictions tell you why a Jakob Poeltl player prop is the best of the NBA picks for this matchup.
Raptors vs Lakers prediction
My Raptors pick
Jakob Poeltl 15+ points (+110 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
With a win total of 30.5, it was always going to be a tough season for the Toronto Raptors. Unfortunately, the injury situation has made the start worse than expected.
Key reserves Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown started the season on the injured list and have since been joined by Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes. Quickley is day-to-day with a pelvis contusion while Barnes is out for at least three weeks with an orbital fracture.
Despite all those injuries and starting the season 1-4, these Raptors have been scrappy, covering the spread in four straight games. That been mostly due to a high-tempo offense that is getting up a lot of high-percentage shots.
The Raptors enter this game vs. the Los Angeles Lakers ranked seventh in pace and 10th in field goal attempts per game. And with all of the injuries they are dealing with, a lot of that offense runs through veteran big man Jakob Poeltl.
The Raptors starting center has been one of the team’s most reliable scoring options so far this season, putting up 13.8 points while shooting 56% from the floor. He’s produced at least 16 points in three of his last four games and gets a good matchup against the Lakers tonight.
While Anthony Davis is a good defender, the Lakers seem to be easing into the season at that end of the court. L.A. ranks 26th in defensive rating heading into this matchup and 21st in opponent points in the paint. On top of that, AD is a little banged up and is listed as day-to-day in this matchup with a hip issue.
I’ll take Jak to keep attacking the paint in this matchup and am taking his alternate point total of 15+ at +110.
Raptors vs Lakers same-game parlay
Jakob Poeltl 15+ points
Jakob Poetlt 10+ rebounds
Austin Reaves Over 4.5 assists
Let’s stick with Jak for leg No. 2 of this same-game parlay. A matchup with AD likely means another solid amount of minutes for Poeltl. And while the Raps’ big man has been a good scoring option he's also still been putting his usual work in on the glass.
Poeltl is averaging 12.8 rebounds per game this season and has hauled down at least nine boards in all five games. He’s had 10-plus in three straight. The Raptors' uptick in tempo means more possessions in a game, and more chances for boards.
Now, the Lakers offense should face little resistance in this one as Toronto enters this game dead-last in defensive rating. They also rank 24th in opponent assists per game, and that has me looking at Austin Reaves.
Reaves has become a great secondary playmaker behind LeBron James and De’Angelo Russell, averaging 4.8 assists per game. With Russell also nursing a back injury and facing a Raptors defense that consistently gets beat by the extra pass, let’s close this SGP out with Reaves to go Over 4.5 assists tonight.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Raptors vs Lakers odds
Raptors vs Lakers live odds
Raptors vs Lakers opening odds
- Spread: Toronto +9 | Los Angeles -9
- Moneyline: Toronto +310 | Los Angeles -390
- Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5
Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada
Raptors vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors opened this matchup as 9-point home underdogs and they saw some early action, moving the spread to Toronto +8 before Lakers buyback has taken it past the opening number and to 9.5.
- The Raptors continue to be shorthanded and play poor defense but surprisingly, the Lakers' defense has been almost as poor, ranking 26th in DEF rating. I would be fearful of a backdoor Raptors cover in this matchup.
- The total hit the board at 228.5 and early bettors have hammered the Over, moving the number to 232.5 as of Friday afternoon.
- Even at this elevated number I would lean toward the Over. Both teams have played poor defense to this point and while the Raptors offense hasn't been super efficient, the make up for it with their high pace of play.
Raptors vs Lakers trend
The Raptors have hit the Over in 12 of their last 15 games for +8.70 Units and a 53% ROI, including a 4-1 O/U mark this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Lakers.
How to watch Raptors vs Lakers
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Friday, 11-1-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN |
Raptors vs Lakers latest injuries
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