Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors Prediction: Improved Lakers take on desperate Raptors

The NBA saga is heading into the final moments of the Regular Season and we will be soon witnessing an even more intense window during the Postseason. For some teams, the Postseason may have already begun as more losses means that knockout situations head nearer. Two such teams, the Los Angeles Lakers are going to clash against the Toronto Raptors.

The Lakers come into this game after seizing a vital 112:103 win against the Memphis Grizzlies as Anthony Davis exploded for 30 points and 22 rebounds. Anthony has played like an MVP ever since LeBron has been down, scoring 30 or more in three straight games. His Lakers have now won seven of their last ten games but still, need much more, perhaps a big winning streak to bolster their chances of reaching the Play-in situation. The Lakers’ defense has been up these days and that has been responsible for some amazing efforts. Their offense took a hit when returnee D’Angelo Russell got injured but Davis has kept the team afloat.

The Raptors enter the match-up after losing 100:108 against the Raptors despite a 20 points outing by Pascal Siakam. They have lost two in a row which has undermined the window where they had won nine of the 12 games. They have 32 wins and 35 losses, and are in a desperate struggle for a Play-in spot, much like the Lakers. Toronto had gotten close in the last two games but they will need much more at this point. Their offense has whittled at crucial points and their defense isn’t as incisive as it was last season. Pascal Siakam has cooled down a bit but the rest of the unit has picked up its play. Let us see how they respond in the upcoming window.

The recent play of the Lakers has turned some heads towards them after they were perceived as the laughing stock for the most part. The Raptors have been a gritty unit but unlike last season, they lack the intimidation value and didn’t build their bunch as they should have in the offseason, plus the season-ending injury to Otto Porter Jr. only worsened their woes. For this game, I expect a close affair with the Lakers ultimately edging out Toronto. I predict a scoreline of 115:111 in favor of LA.