The Los Angeles Lakers (31-36), 9.5-point underdogs, will travel to Scotiabank Arena to go head-to-head with the Toronto Raptors (48-20). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 231 points and it will air on TNT at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 14, 2019.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Odds
In the Lakers’ last game, they beat the Chicago Bulls, 123-107, easily covering as 2.5-point favorites. The Raptors, on the other hand, were blown out by the Cleveland Cavaliers, 126-101, and failed to cover as 8.5-point underdogs. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Los Angeles game finished 4 points over the projected point total of 226, while the Toronto game went 3 points over the projected point total of 224.
Los Angeles played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.186 (above their season average of 0.181) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.622 (above their season average of 0.530). For those same stats, Chicago was 0.132 and 0.522, respectively. Toronto, on the other hand, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.542 vs. 0.564). Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard had a solid performance, contributing 25 points and nine rebounds. LeBron James played a key role for Los Angeles with 36 points and 10 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Serge Ibaka led the Raptors to a 121-107 victory. He notched a double-double with 34 points and 10 rebounds. The two teams combined to put up 228 points, which was under the projected point total of 234, and Toronto covered as a 2-point underdog. Toronto out-rebounded Los Angeles. The Raptors had more offensive rebounds (13 vs. six), defensive rebounds (36 vs. 32) and total rebounds (49 vs. 38).
Lakers games have a tendency to finish under the total (58.2 percent). Los Angeles comes into the contest with records of 31-36 straight up (SU) and 26-39-2 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Los Angeles, games involving the Raptors have a tendency to go over the O/U total (55.9 percent). Toronto is 48-20 SU, but they are just 29-37-2 ATS.
Toronto figures to have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Raptors rank seventh in offensive efficiency, while Los Angeles ranks 17th in defensive efficiency.
Los Angeles Lakers at Toronto Raptors Betting Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Raptors rank 11th in blocks per game (5.3) while the Lakers rank 17th in blocks allowed per game (5.2).
- Toronto averages 18.6 fast break points per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 25th in fast break points allowed per game (15.3).
- The Raptors rank 12th in rebounds allowed per game (44.7) while the Lakers rank 27th (46.9).
- Toronto averages 8.3 steals per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Los Angeles ranks 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.3).
- Toronto averages 24.9 assists per game, which ranks 13th in the league. Los Angeles ranks 21st in assists allowed per game (25.0).
- The Raptors rank eighth in points off turnovers per game (17.7) while the Lakers rank 28th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.3).
- The Raptors average 33.5 three pointers per game, which ranks 12th in the NBA. The Lakers rank 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (33.2).
- Toronto ranks 16th in second chance points per game (13.2) while Los Angeles ranks 19th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
- Toronto ranks eighth in points allowed in the paint per game (47.3) while Los Angeles ranks 25th (51.1).
- Los Angeles is 7-0 when they allow less than 100 points, while Toronto is 11-1.
- The Raptors are 45-14 when they reach 100 points, while the Lakers are 30-29.
- Toronto is 14-19-1 ATS at home, while Los Angeles is 15-18 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 17 of the Lakers’ 33 road games, while 18 of the Raptors’ 34 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Raptors are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Lakers are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Toronto has 4 overs and 1 under, while Los Angeles has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.4, down from 5.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 108.6 points per game (3.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 114.6 points per game (0.7 above their season average).
