The Los Angeles Lakers (4-5) will be at home in the Staples Center when they challenge the Toronto Raptors (8-1). Action gets underway at 9:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 4, 2018.
Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers ATS Odds
The Lakers hope to keep it rolling after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in their last matchup, 114-110, as 7.5-point underdogs. The Raptors, meanwhile, beat the Phoenix Suns, 107-98, but were not able to cover as 9.5-point favorites. The Los Angeles game went 10 points under the projected point total of 234, while the Toronto game finished 21.5 points under the projected point total of 226.5.
Toronto dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.160 (below their season average of 0.189) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.580 (above their season average of 0.545). For those same stats, Phoenix recorded marks of 0.110 and 0.484, respectively. The Lakers, on the other hand, held the Trail Blazers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.452 (below their season average of 0.542). The Trail Blazers had a free throw rate of 0.154 (below their season average of 0.251). LeBron James led the way for Los Angeles, finishing with 28 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Toronto rallied around Kyle Lowry, who put up 11 points, 12 assists and six rebounds.
The Raptors dominated this series last year, securing victories in both games. In the last matchup, Toronto won 123-111. Toronto’s 0.565 effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Los Angeles, who had a rate of 0.478.
Games involving the Raptors have typically finished over the total (77.8 percent). Toronto has a superb 8-1 straight up (SU) record, but they have a hard time covering the spread (4-5 against the spread (ATS)).
Lakers games also have a tendency to go over the total (75.0 percent). Further, Los Angeles owns records of 4-5 SU and 2-6 ATS.
It will be a battle of opposite tempos as the up-and-down Lakers will look to push the more methodical Raptors. Since last season, the Lakers rank first in possessions per game while the Raptors are 21st. Moreover, the Raptors rank fourth in offensive efficiency (111.6), while the Lakers rank 25th in defensive efficiency (106.6).
Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- The Lakers rank first in fast break points per game (18.2) while the Raptors rank 13th (13.8).
- Toronto averages 49.0 points in the paint per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Los Angeles ranks last in points allowed in the paint per game (49.8).
- The Lakers rank fourth in steals per game (7.9) while the Raptors rank 19th (7.5).
- Los Angeles ranks sixth in second chance points per game (14.2) while Toronto ranks 20th in second chance points allowed per game (13.1).
- Toronto ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (22.1) while Los Angeles ranks 18th (23.6).
- The Raptors rank seventh in rebounds allowed per game (42.4) while the Lakers rank 28th (45.1).
- The Raptors rank first in three pointers allowed per game (25.6) while the Lakers rank 14th (30.1).
- Toronto averages 16.8 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 13th in the league. Los Angeles ranks 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.2).
- Toronto averages 6.1 blocks per game, which ranks fourth in the league. Los Angeles ranks 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
- Los Angeles is 13-5 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Toronto is 31-5.
- When scoring above 100 points, the Lakers are 36-34 and the Raptors are 65-20.
