Sportsbook players know how dangerous the Los Angeles Lakers can be, but they could be more dangerous when they’re wounded. The Lakers have lost three in a row, and they’ll be out to avenge an earlier loss in Toronto when the Raptors head to Los Angeles on Tuesday to begin a four-game Western road trip.
Raptors vs Lakers odds – Tuesday, March 9, 10:30 PM ET
The Raptors (32-29) couldn’t give Chris Bosh a victorious return to the court on Sunday, as they fell 114-101 to Philadelphia at home. Bosh played 33 minutes, racking up 12 points and 12 boards, but he wasn’t as aggressive as usual as he was coming back from a sprained ankle and a stomach virus. Jarrett Jack had 20 points and nine assists to lead the Raptors, who were just 8-of-12 at the free-throw line, and none of those attempts came from Bosh, who is second in the league in that category. Once he gets his legs back underneath him, the Raptors should be in good shape.
The Lakers (46-18) weren’t in a good mood during or after their 96-94 loss in Orlando on Sunday, as Kobe Bryant was involved all day with Matt Barnes. Bryant scored a game-high 34 points for the Lakers, but he needed 30 shots to do it as Los Angeles shot a miserable 37.5% from the field. It’s definitely a stretch to say that the Lakers’ sportsbook odds would be better without Bryant, but the Lakers were 4-1 when Bryant sat out five games with an ankle injury, and they move the ball around. With Bryant in the lineup, he dominates the Lakers’ triangle offense, and the rest of the team are sometimes left standing around, watching him go one-on-five.
The Lakers will be the sportsbook favorites in this contest, and they’ve won seven straight at home over the Raptors. This is the second meeting of the season for these two, and the Raptors came away with a 106-105 win over the Lakers in Toronto on January 24th. Andrea Bargnani led six Raptors in double figures with 22 points, while Bosh added 18 points and 13 boards. Bryant just missed a triple-double with 27 points, 16 boards and nine assists, but he missed what would have been the game-winning shot, just as he did against the Magic on Sunday. The Lakers will be hungry to end their losing skid, and they’ll be hungrier to avenge that loss to the Raptors, who allowed the 76ers to shoot 55.6% from the field and are one of the worst defensive teams in the league. They have a 10-19 mark away from home, and unless they can come up with their effort of the season, they’re not getting past an angry Lakers squad.
NBA betting pick: Lakers
