Toronto Raptors vs L.a. Lakers Lakers Picks and Predictions November 1st 2024

Raptors vs Lakers November 1st 2024

At 7:30 ET, the Lakers (-363) will travel to Toronto to take on the Raptors (+288) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line is set at 228.

Los Angeles is favored by 8.5 points and comes into the game with a 3-2 record. The Raptors, who are 1-4, will be looking to pull off the upset at Scotiabank Arena. SN-LA will have the TV coverage for this game.

Lakers vs. Raptors Key Information

The Lakers fell to 3-2 on the season after a 134-110 road loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday. Entering the game as +4 point underdogs, Los Angeles failed to cover the spread, losing by 24 points. The total score of 244 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 226.5 by 17.5 points.

Cleveland took control early with a 14-0 run, stretching the score from 17-15 to 31-15. The Lakers couldn’t recover, as the Cavs led 42-23 after the 1st quarter. Although the Lakers matched the Cavs 25-25 in the 2nd quarter, Cleveland maintained their lead, going into the 4th quarter up 99-79 and outscoring the Lakers 35-31 in the final period.

LeBron James led the Lakers with 26 points, shooting 69.2% from the field in their loss to the Cavaliers. Anthony Davis added 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Dalton Knecht contributed 18 points, all of which came in the 4th quarter.

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The Lakers struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 6 threes at a 21.4% rate, though they shot 49.4% overall. LeBron scored 14 of his points in the 3rd quarter.

The Lakers struggled defensively against the Cavaliers, allowing 134 points on 57% shooting. Cleveland put up 42 points in the 1st quarter, and the Lakers couldn’t contain them in the 3rd and 4th quarters either, giving up 32 and 35 points, respectively.

From beyond the arc, the Cavaliers hit 17 threes at a 41% clip. The Lakers sent Cleveland to the line just 8 times, where they made 5 free throws. Los Angeles recorded 32 defensive rebounds, allowed 6 offensive boards, and finished with 6 steals.

Toronto’s season record dropped to 1-4 after a 138-133 road loss to the Hornets on Wednesday. The Raptors, who were +6.5 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 271 exceeded the O/U line of 224 by 47 points.

Charlotte went on a 13-0 run early, but Toronto responded with a 43-point 2nd quarter. Despite a 37-point effort in the 4th, the Raptors couldn’t close the gap after trailing 103-96 heading into the final period.

In their 134-110 loss to the Cavaliers, the Lakers struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 6 threes at a 21.4% clip. Overall, they shot 49.4% from the field.

LeBron James led the way with 26 points, including 14 in the 3rd quarter, while Anthony Davis added 22 points and 13 rebounds. Dalton Knecht scored all 18 of his points in the 4th quarter.

The Raptors struggled defensively on Wednesday, allowing 138 points to the Hornets. Toronto gave up 30 points in the 1st quarter, 34 in the 2nd, 39 in the 3rd, and 35 in the 4th.

Charlotte shot 52% from the field, including 44% from three-point range, hitting 20 threes. The Hornets also went 20/25 from the free-throw line. The Raptors had 28 defensive rebounds but allowed 14 offensive boards. They recorded 9 steals and 5 blocks.

The Raptors come in as the underdog at +8.5, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 228, and our model predicts the Lakers and Raptors to score a combined 258 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Lakers and Raptors Aim to Bounce Back After Tough Losses

The Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors both enter Friday’s matchup searching for redemption after recent losses and setbacks, especially with the Raptors grappling with the loss of Scottie Barnes to injury. The Raptors will look to rebound without their All-Star, while the Lakers seek to sharpen their play and overcome challenges on their extended road trip.

Raptors Adjust to Life Without Scottie Barnes

Toronto’s first game without Scottie Barnes proved to be a struggle, ending in a 138-133 road loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. Barnes, who sustained a right orbital fracture after a collision with Denver’s Nikola Jokic, is set to miss at least three weeks. The young forward nearly notched a triple-double in his last game before the injury, posting 21 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, highlighting his pivotal role in the Raptors’ lineup.

Coach Darko Rajakovic acknowledged the loss, emphasizing how Barnes’ energy resonates within the team:

“Guys respect the way he plays, the energy that he brings,” Rajakovic said. “We really tried to play for him, to try to get this win for him as well.”

With Barnes out, others have stepped up in his place. RJ Barrett, who recently returned from a shoulder sprain, scored 31 points against Charlotte, and rookie Gradey Dick added a career-high 30 points. Despite this offensive output, the Raptors found themselves trailing 30-16 after the first quarter, a deficit that proved hard to overcome.

“It doesn’t really mean anything without this win, that would have been even better,” said Dick, reflecting on his high-scoring night. With four losses in their past five games, the Raptors are eager to turn things around, driven by the team’s competitive spirit.

“Nobody wants to lose, but we have guys in the locker room who hate it more than winning,” Dick added. “When you have guys like that, who are so competitive, things can change.”

The Raptors continue to deal with several injuries, with Immanuel Quickley (pelvic contusion) doubtful for Friday’s game and Bruce Brown (knee) and Kelly Olynyk (back) still sidelined. However, Ja’Kobe Walter (shoulder) is listed as questionable, potentially offering some reinforcements.

Lakers Seek to Reignite Winning Energy

The Lakers are also hoping for a fresh start after a 134-110 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, their second consecutive defeat after starting the season 3-0. Despite LeBron James scoring 26 points, he committed a game-high six turnovers against his former team. The Lakers collectively struggled with ball control, tallying a season-high 21 turnovers that led to 31 points for Cleveland.

LeBron acknowledged that the Lakers fell short of the required intensity:

“I just don’t think we matched their intensity with energy and effort,” James said. “It’s never good to take a step backwards, but we did that. And now we’ve got to figure out how we can take two steps forward next time.”

Coach JJ Redick emphasized that such mistakes can’t happen against competitive teams, while Anthony Davis, who managed 22 points and 13 rebounds despite jamming his hip early in the game, stressed that the final three games of their road trip are crucial:

“This is the first game where we weren’t grasping (the offense),” Davis observed. “We were awful offensively because of our spacing.”

While the Lakers worked through a tough game, the crowd added a memorable highlight by chanting for LeBron’s son, Bronny James, to enter the court. In his NBA debut, Bronny made a significant impression, sinking a jumper and adding two assists in just over five minutes of play.

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“It was insane,” Bronny said after the game. “Much more than I anticipated for sure. … The chants really got me. I was straight-faced, but I felt it, and it felt really good, especially coming from here.”

High Stakes and “Must-Wins” for Both Teams

With both teams eager to regain momentum, Friday’s game presents an important opportunity. The Raptors will rely on the hot hands of Barrett and Dick to compensate for Barnes’ absence and address their defensive lapses. Meanwhile, the Lakers, led by LeBron, Davis, and an enthusiastic Bronny, are focused on turning effort and intensity into wins to end their road trip on a positive note.

In a battle between two teams seeking balance and success, Friday’s matchup promises to be both competitive and highly charged as each squad looks to find its footing.