Toronto Raptors (32-35) at Los Angeles Lakers (32-34)
Game Info: Friday, March 9, 2023 at 10:30 p.m. EST (crypto.com Arena)
Betting Odds: Lakers (-1) / Over/Under (224.5)
Pick: Raptors (+1)
Let's head out West to a clash between two squads who are in identical positions in their respective Conferences when the Toronto Raptors head into the crypto.com Arena to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
Toronto fell short in their last two games on the road against the Clippers and Nuggets, but they will have to pick their heads up fast if they expect to get back to winning ways against the Lakers. Having covered 2 out of their last 3 games, if they can improve that stretch to 3 of 4 games, they will get back within 1 game of the Atlanta Hawks in the East standings for the 8th seed. Despite their 32-35 record, they are about as healthy as they have been all season, with all of their mainstay starters healthy at the moment. For sure they have not looked their best in large parts of the season, but their starters have been in intense Playoff games before on a consistent basis, so these games will not faze them in the slightest bit. They will surely need an impressive showing from their stars come game time Friday night. After Fred VanVleet bashed the referees in a rant in front of the media a few nights ago after the Clippers dismantled the Raptors, will Toronto be able to refocus their attention and put together a better performance against the Lakers?
As always, get our VIP Pick Free Tonight by Clicking Here!
Los Angeles has been mighty impressive over their last 8 games in which they have gone 6-2 SU and ATS in that stretch. Since they made the shocking trade for D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt, they have ranked 1st in Defensive Rating, something that they were utterly porous in earlier in the season. Although LeBron James will be sidelined for the coming weeks, Anthony Davis has stepped up hugely in his absence, scoring at least 28 points in 6 out of his last 7 games. Even more impressively, he was able to secure 22 rebounds in a key win versus the Memphis Grizzlies last time out. As they inch closer to the illustrious 6 seed that would give them an auto-bid into the Playoffs, for the most part, Davis will have everything to say if they can jump into that group. With a new and improved defensive structure, can the Lakers impose their presence on a flustered Raptors team in their home arena?
Betting trends to consider in this matchup:
- Toronto has covered 7 out of 12 games that they've played with a rest disadvantage
- The over is 16-10 when the Raptors are playing inter-Conference matchups
- The over is 14-11 when the Lakers are playing inter-Conference matchups
I absolutely love the Raptors in this spot. They are fuming over the poor officiating in the past few games that have impacted their losses in a big way. I fully expect them to exact some revenge by stealing a game on the road in the crpyto.com Arena. Through an immense effort from Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, give me the Raptors to right the ship on Friday night.
Our VIP picks are hitting over 71% this season! Buy a Month package for just $400 if you don't profit get a season deal free! ($3,000 value).