Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 02/05/2021, 08:01  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 02/05/2021 at 09:01 in NBA Predictions

With eight games of the regular season remaining, the Toronto Raptors are struggling to get into postseason. They are in 12th place overall in the Eastern Conference and face a tough match at defending champions, the LA Lakers. The Raptors are three wins behind 10th placed Washington Wizards, so need somehow to put together a run of form that will take them into the play-ins. They are bottom of the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division with a 26-38 season record. That's a tough division as the four teams above them are all in the top six in the Conference. Current form is not inspiring with just one win in the last five played. That came against the Cleveland Cavaliers who are 13th in the Eastern Conference. On the road, the Raptors have a 10-22 record with the last four all lost and only one win in the last ten.

LA Lakers will be looking to get another win as they ibid to qualify for the play-offs. The defending champions have a season record of 36-27 which has them third in the Western Conference Pacific Division. They are sixth overall in the conference, the final play-off qualifying position. It's tight though with only a 1.5% lead over the Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers have lost four of their last five matches, putting their play-off position in danger. At home, they have a 17-14 season record and again four of the last five have been lost. It's not been an easy fixture list though with games against Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. Toronto will be a bit easier for them and the Lakers can get a valuable win.