The Los Angeles Lakers will get a visit from the rejuvenated Toronto Raptors this Wednesday, with each team looking to follow up a win with another. Will the Raptors bring down LA? Or, will the Lakers have their first win streak of the year?

Catch this game live on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 11:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Toronto Raptors (15-21/6-12 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• Immanuel Quickley
• RJ Barrett
• Scottie Barnes
• Pascal Siakam
• Jontay Porter

The Raptors have gained some steam lately and will be looking to add more to their recent success when they travel to La La Land this week. Toronto is coming off a 133-118 win in San Francisco over the Golden State Warriors last Monday to get back on track after losing to the Sacramento Kings on the road last Saturday, 135-130. 

The Raptors, who have won three of their last four games, have been buzzing offensively during their ongoing trip away from Canada. While they are just 17th in the league with 115.0 points per game, they have ramped up their scoring the past four games, generating 125.8 points on 52.4 FG%. The arrival of Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett to the fold has given Toronto a nice boost as the former New York Knicks have a 121.5 and 122.7 offensive rating, respectively, through four games in Raptors jerseys.

Home: Los Angeles Lakers (18-19/12-6 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• Austin Reaves
• Cam Reddish
• Taurean Prince
• LeBron James (Questionable)
• Anthony Davis (Probable)

The Lakers are hoping that their 106-103 skid-snapping win over the Los Angeles Clippers at home last Monday was the start of a bright turnaround for the Purple & Gold. Before that, the Lakers were circling down the drain with four losses in a row. They had also gone 2-9 straight up in the 11 games prior to the meeting with Kawhi Leonard and company. By beating a loaded Clippers squad, the Lakers showed signs of life amid an abysmal stretch. 

The return of D’Angelo Russell from a three-game absence also provided the Lakers a jolt, as he scored 13 points and dished out six assists in the Clippers game.  While LeBron James and Anthony Davis are listed as questionable and probable, respectively, for Wednesday’s outing, the expectation is that both will see action. Davis could be in for yet another big game, with the Raptors missing regular starting center Jakob Poeltl due to injury. Davis is averaging 25.2 points on 55.6 FG%, 122. rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game this season.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Lakers (-4.5) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (233.5) hits the Under.