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The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Toronto Raptors after recently claiming their biggest win of the season in their previous game.
The Lakers (2-2, 1-2 home) managed to defeat the Washington Wizards in overtime on Wednesday despite being 5.5 point spread underdogs, the exact same line which they have been given today against Toronto. The young Lakers didn`t play well in the first three games of the season losing against the Pelicans and the Clippers, while barely beating a poor Suns team, but they had a good showing against the Wizards, coming back from a 10 point deficit in the 4th quarter and staying cool under pressure to win in overtime.
Toronto (2-2, 0-2 away) has been great in the early stages of this season, starting off with two blowout home wins against the Bulls and the Sixers. Even if they lost their next two games, they actually played extremely well to stay competitive away from home against two of the best teams in the NBA: the Spurs (lost by 4) and the Warriors (lost by 5). Toronto was actually in a position to win in Golden State a couple of days ago, but late threes by Curry and Durant sealed their fate.
Bet on Lakers vs. Raptors and claim your 100% (100 Euro) freebet at Ohmbet now!Team news: Raptors could miss their starting center Valanciunas yet again. He has not played in the last two games and is listed as questionable for tonight. He could return, but that is not something you can count on. Backup center Nogueira is also out so Toronto might need to play small ball, but that worked very well in their last game against the Warriors.
Credit to the Lakers for grinding out a win against the Wizards in their last outing, but it has to be said that Washington is known as a very poor road team – their strength comes from the way they play at home. What`s more, John Wall had a dreadful night shooting just 7-22 from the floor, missing open shots and layups, so that was the main reason for which the Wizards lost.
It`s hard to see this rather poor Lakers side playing two good games consecutively and winning twice in a row against very good opposition.
The Raptors have really played well in this beginning of the season and even with Valanciunas out they were able to go toe to toe on the road against sides like the Spurs and the Warriors. If he`s back it will be a plus for them, but they can definitely win without their starting center.
Toronto also matches up well against the Lakers, winning the last 4 direct meetings, and the two teams aren`t too different this time compared to when Toronto got those wins.
The Lakers could be in for an off night after playing well two days ago, but even if they repeat the performance they put on against Washington, Toronto’s balanced style of play should be too much for the young and inconsistent hosts.
My tip here is Toronto to cover the 5 point (asian) handicap and it`s worth noting that odds are currently dropping on this bet. I`m comfortable enough with this pick to invest maximum stakes on it. Prediction: LA Lakers – Toronto Raptors 105 – 117.
Pick: Raptors -5
Odds: 1.88 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 10
Possible profit: 8.80
Event date: 28 October
