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Raptors vs Lakers Picks and Odds

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NBA Basketball

Updated May 1, 2021 · 9:57 PM PDT

Anthony Davis walking near center court
Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers host the Toronto Raptors Sunday night. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)
  • The desperate Toronto Raptors visit Lakers Sunday night
  • LeBron James returned from ankle sprain Friday, questionable vs Raptors
  • Get the latest Raptors vs Lakers odds, betting preview and a pick below

The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers need wins, for two very different reasons – and that should make for an intriguing Sunday night matchup in LA.

The Raptors are running out of games in pursuit of Washington and that final East play-in spot, while the Lakers are just a mini-skid away from falling out of the locked playoff spots and into a play-in themselves in the West.

To make matters worse for LA, it appears LeBron James, who just returned from a 20-game absence Friday in a loss to the Kings, might not be available for this one.

Raptors vs Lakers Odds

Team Spread at FanDuel Moneyline Total
Toronto Raptors +6 (-110) +205 TBD
Los Angeles Lakers -6 (-110) -250 TBD

Odds as of May 1. Tipoff is Sunday at 10pm ET

Lakers Teetering on Play-In

What a difference an ankle sprain makes.

Since LeBron James went down with his injury, the Lakers have been scuffling along, going 8-12 minus the 2020 Finals MVP.  His return was both a welcome sight and a surprise. If the Lakers had been able to better weather the storm, it was likely LeBron wouldn’t be so urgently needed.

But they enter play Sunday tied for fifth with the Dallas Mavericks — which drops them to sixth, as the Mavs own the tiebreaker between the two teams. They’re just a game up on Portland, and if the Blazers pass them, LA would be forced into the play-in.

The Lakers looked rusty, out of sync and inconsistent in a 110-106 loss to Sacramento. The good news is their defense is still strong, and James had a three-pointer for the go-ahead points that didn’t connect in the final seconds.

LBJ finished with 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting, to go along with eight boards and seven assists, but he also committed five turnovers. He’s officially listed as questionable against the Raptors. Given the circumstances, it would be surprising if James wasn’t a go.

Perhaps more encouraging was the play of Anthony Davis, who led the team with 22 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks. In the five games since returning, he’s averaged just 17.4 points and 6.2 rebounds on a dismal 41% from the field and 20% from three-point range.

It was also the first time Andre Drummond played with both LA superstars since coming over in the buyout season, and you could see James trying to incorporate the big man, while Davis and Drummond figured out spacing. The other AD had 17 points and seven boards.

Toronto Out of Time

This is an unforgiving stretch for the Raptors as they try to make up ground on the 10th-place Wizards in the East. They missed a golden opportunity Saturday night, dropping a 106-102 decision to the Utah Jazz, the same night the Wizards were stopped 125-124 by the Dallas Mavericks. Toronto just hasn’t had that final push to close out games lately.

The Raptors now sit three games back of Washington with eight games to play. They have a head-to-head with Washington, but they’ve got to contend with both LA teams before then, and that game might not have much value if Toronto doesn’t sweep Staples.

Fred VanVleet had 30 points, six rebounds and seven assists in the loss, while the OG Anunoby and Khem Birch each had 17 points. Birch added 10 rebounds.

As has been the theme much of the year, the Raptors weren’t able to field a full lineup. Gary Trent Jr was out with a leg contusion and Chris Boucher is still out with a knee sprain. Kyle Lowry was given the night off for rest.

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What’s the Best Bet?

It’s always a dicey proposition betting on the Lakers when LeBron might not be in the lineup. But just as in their first meeting, a 110-101 Lakers win without either James or Davis, LA’s defense should be able to land them a W. If they can get any sort of production out of AD like they did last time out, they should be all right.

Toronto is 10-21 on the road this year, and 12-19 ATS. Expect the Lakers to improve on their 33-13 mark as a favorite this year.

The pick: Lakers -5  (-110)

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