The Los Angeles Lakers hit the road again and march north of the border for a Thursday matchup against the Toronto Raptors. Will the Lakers rebound from their loss to Donovan Mitchell and Co. with a win? Or, will the Raptors deal LA with another L?

Catch this game live on Thursday, December 8, at 8:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Los Angeles Lakers (10-13/4-7 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: Dennis Schroder
• SG: Patrick Beverley
• SF: Lonnie Walker IV
• PF: LeBron James
• C: Anthony Davis (questionable)

It is possible that the Lakers will roll without Anthony Davis when they pay Toronto a visit. Davis played just eight minutes in Wednesday’s 116-102 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers before leaving the game for good due to a non-COVID illness. If Davis won’t be able to give it a go, the Lakers can rely on Thomas Bryant to carry most of the load at the center spot. 

Bryant will have some momentum heading into Thursday’s contest, as he scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds versus the Raptors. The Lakers could also be running into the Raptors at just the right time, with Toronto struggling to win games of late, going just 1-3 and 3-5 straight up in their last four and eight games, respectively. Los Angeles is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games in enemy territory.

Home: Toronto Raptors (12-12/9-3 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: Fred VanVleet
• SG: Gary Trent Jr.
• SF: O.G. Anunoby
• PF: Scottie Barnes
• C: Pascal Siakam

The Raptors hope that they can prevent losing back-to-back games for the second time since the start of December. Toronto lost to the Boston Celtics at home last Tuesday, 116-100, before taking a rest Wednesday. It’s important to note here that the Raptors have fresher legs than the Lakers by the time both teams hit the floor Thursday. That’s not to mention that the Lakers are in the middle of a lengthy road trip. Plus, Davis is sick, and even if he does play, there’s no assurance he’s actually back to 100%. 

Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, and Gary Trent Jr. combined for 70 of the Raptors’ points in the loss to the Celtics, so they are going to need more help from the others. That seems to be an easier ask this time around, assuming that fatigue is setting in on the Lakers and considering the fact that LA is the fourth-oldest team in the league.

The Raptors are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games at home against teams with a losing road record.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Raptors (-7.5) cover the spread. 

Over/Under: The total (225.5) this the Under.