Toronto Raptors (25-18) vs. LA Lakers (24-15)
January 18, 2026 9:30 pm EDT
The Line: LA Lakers -1.5; Over/Under: 226.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Toronto Raptors at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night.
Toronto Raptors Betting PreviewÂ
The Toronto Raptors have been in pretty good form as they’ve won seven of their last 11 games overall, but 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 and 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 PreviewÂ
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have gone cold lately as they’ve dropped five of their last six games overall and 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 and 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.
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, while 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.
