Raptors vs. Lakers - NBA Game Preview - March 10, 2023

The Toronto Raptors take on the Los Angeles Lakers in a non-conference matchup on March 10, 2023. The game will be played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles at 10:30 p.m. EST.

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have had an inconsistent season so far, with a 32-35 record that places them ninth in the Eastern Conference. They have struggled on the road, winning only 12 of their 34 away games. The Raptors are 4-10 in games decided by less than 4 points, which indicates they have struggled in clutch situations.

Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam are the top performers for the Raptors this season. VanVleet is averaging 19.1 points per game, while Siakam is averaging 22.1 points and 6.1 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently ninth in the Western Conference with a 32-34 record. They have a 17-15 record at home and have been playing better of late, going 7-3 in their last 10 games.

Anthony Davis is the standout performer for the Lakers this season, averaging 26.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. Malik Beasley has been on fire from beyond the arc recently, averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Los Angeles.

Betting Trends

The Raptors are +1 on the spread, and the total points over/under is set at 218.5.

As of March 9, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. EST, 52% of the bets are on the Raptors to cover the spread, while 48% are on the Lakers.

Prediction

This game promises to be a close contest, but we believe the Lakers will have the edge over the Raptors. The Lakers have been playing better of late, and Anthony Davis is in excellent form. The Raptors have struggled on the road this season, and their poor record in close games is a concern. Our pick is the Los Angeles Lakers to cover the spread (-1).

Pick: Los Angeles Lakers (-1)