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The Lakers hit the road to Toronto for the first and only time this season to face the struggling Raptors. This is the fifth stop on the Lakers’ current six-game road trip, and the team is hoping to build another winning streak before the regular season ends.
Raptors x Lakers: where to watch the NBA game live
When: April 2nd, 8pm.
Where: Scotiabank Arena
Stream: NBA League Pass
Lineups
Lakers: Davis, James, Hachimura, Reaves and Russell.
Raptors: Olynyk, Dick, Brown, Freeman-Liberty and Trent Jr.
What to expect from the Lakers today
There is no team in the league that is struggling to win games like the Raptors, who are on a 13-game losing streak. Team Canada has been a completely different team since the last time they played the Lakers in LA in January, when Anthony Davis scored 41 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out six assists. And the big reason is because of the injuries that affected the squad.
Without some of the best players, such as Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher and Jakob Poeltl, in the game later, the Lakers have no excuse to waste this opportunity. The Lakers should dominate the paint again and have more firepower than the Raptors, as the only ones they need to worry about are RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.
That being said, the Lakers must find a way to end this game as early as possible as they face the Washington Wizards the next day.
Lakers also have injury problems
Max Christie should have more minutes in this game, with Gabe Vincent and Cam Reddish listed as absent. Christie, who has had inconsistent minutes all season, has been a liability in the Lakers’ point guard rotation. If he does indeed receive more minutes against the Raptors, this is the kid’s opportunity to shine.
The Western Conference scenario
The Lakers (42-33) have an opportunity to build another winning streak before the season ends. The team is 7-3 in its last 10 games and still has a chance to climb the Western Conference standings, with the Sacramento Kings (43-31) and Phoenix Suns (43-31) dealing with injuries and a difficult schedule ahead.
Meanwhile, below the Lakers are the Golden State Warriors (40-34) and the Houston Rockets (38-36), who are trying to climb the table. The Warriors would have the best chance of getting past the Lakers because not only do they have the tiebreaker advantage, but they are just one game behind and have an easier schedule ahead. So the Lakers know what to do if they don’t want to end up in a worse position than they are now.
Injury Report
Jaxson Hayes (left calf injury) was ruled out at the last minute in the last game, but appears to be improving as he is listed as likely to play soon. While Anthony Davis (left knee hyperextension) and LeBron James (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy) are listed as doubtful. Christian Wood (left knee stroke), Jarred Vanderbilt (right midfoot sprain) and Jalen Hood-Schfino (spine surgery) are out. Cam Reddish (personal reasons) and Gabe Vincent (recovering from left knee injury) joined the roster.
For the Raptors, Scottie Barnes (fractured left hand), Chris Boucher (ruptured MCL), DJ Carton (sprained right ankle), Jakob Poeltl (torn ligament in left hand), Jontay Porter (personal reasons), Ochai Agabji (bruise on the right hip) are out. While RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are listed as probables.
