The Lakers have been underperforming since their In-Season Tournament victory, struggling particularly against the spread with a 5-9 record. Their issues are compounded by a lack of depth and scoring difficulties. Lebron James’ uncertain status for today’s game and Anthony Davis’ health concerns, due to flu-like symptoms, further weaken their position.
On the other hand, the Raptors have shown significant improvement following their trade with the Knicks. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley’s addition has revitalized the team, with Barrett averaging 21 points per game. Despite missing Jakob Poeltl, the Raptors have a strong form and depth, winning three of their last four games. Given these factors, the Raptors are a good pick at +4.5 for this matchup