Lakers vs Raptors Prediction 1/18/26 NBA Picks Today

The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Toronto Raptors at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night. Here’s a Lakers vs Raptors Prediction. This article will include a Lakers vs Raptors Pick.

Toronto Raptors Betting Preview

The Toronto Raptors have been in pretty good form as they’ve won seven of their last 11 games overall. They will be hoping to bounce back in this one after coming up short to the Clippers in a 121-117 overtime loss on Friday. Scottie Barnes led the team with 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Brandon Ingram added 19 points with six rebounds while Jamal Shead tallied 15 points with 13 assists. As a team, the Raptors shot 48 percent from the field and 11 of 33 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 32 points in the first quarter to take an early 14-point lead. They looked like they had control of the contest until the fourth quarter where they went cold and scored just 20 points to allow the Clippers to steal the momentum and the game.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have gone cold lately as they’ve dropped five of their last six games overall. They will be looking to avoid a third straight loss after getting trounced by the Trail Blazers in a 132-116 road defeat last night. Marcus Smart led the team with 25 points on nine of 17 shooting, LeBron James added 20 points with nine rebounds and eight assists while Drew Timme chipped in with 21 points on nine of 12 shooting off the bench. As a team, the Lakers shot 49 percent from the field and 13 of 31 from the 3-point line, but they struggled to match the intensity of the Trail Blazers from the tipoff. They were always fighting an uphill battle after getting outscored by 40-27 in the first quarter. Gabe Vincent finished with just three points on one of six shooting while Jake LaRavia scored just two points on zero of two shooting.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The Raptors have lost each of their last 15 road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The Lakers have won each of their last nine Sunday home games.
• The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 night games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Lakers have covered the spread in six of their last seven games as home favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.

Why the Toronto Raptors will win

• The Raptors have won each of their last five games as underdogs following a loss.
• The Lakers have lost each of their last six games when playing with a rest disadvantage against the Raptors.
• The Raptors have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as underdogs.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games when playing with a rest disadvantage against the Raptors.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Lakers’ last six home games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Seven of the Raptors’ last eight games as underdogs following a home loss have gone UNDER the total points line.

Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts

• Marcus Smart is one of only five players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
• Rui Hachimura ranks 6th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for 3P% (43.3%) this season.

Toronto Raptors Player Facts

• Scottie Barnes is the only player in the league to have recorded 25+ rebounds in a game this season.
• Jamal Shead ranks 6th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.2) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.7).
• The Lakers rank 1st in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (67.5%).
• The Raptors rank 30th in the league for three-point percentage this season (33.9%).
• The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points (828) this season.

Toronto v Los Angeles Free Prediction

The Raptors are still missing some players with RJ Barrett, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Jakob Poeltl all ruled out with Jamison Battle and Immanuel Quickley both listed as questionable. Meanwhile, the Lakers have ruled out Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and Jaxson Hayes. The Raptors have been dealing with a few injuries lately but nothing compared to the Lakers who are stretched thin at the moment. The Raptors come into this contest as the more consistent team and they almost took down the red-hot Clippers in their last outing, so I really like them as the underdogs in this spot against a stumbling Lakers squad playing their second game of a back to back set.