DALLAS vs LA LAKERS
When: 12/25/2020 8:00 PM
Where:

TV: 8:00 PM
LINE: -6.5
PREDICTION: LA LAKERS , DALLAS

Oddsmakers currently have the LA LAKERS listed as -6.5 point favorites versus the DALLAS, while the game’s total is sitting at 227.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers anticipate a stiff test on Christmas Day when they host Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

“They’re a very good team and Luka’s an exceptional talent in our league, a great talent in our league, obviously,” James said after practice Thursday. “We look forward to the challenge and just getting out there and being able to play on Christmas is always a treat, so (we) look forward to the matchup.”

The matchup against the Mavericks will allow James and the Lakers an opportunity to wipe out the sour taste of Tuesday’s season opener when they dropped a 116-109 decision to the Los Angeles Clippers on a night they celebrated their NBA title with a ring ceremony. James led the Lakers with 22 points before sitting out much of the fourth quarter after tweaking an ankle.

However, he said the injury won’t sideline him against the Mavericks.

“I’ll be ready to go tomorrow on Christmas Day,” James said. “I’ve never missed a Christmas Day game, so I don’t plan on missing one tomorrow.”

Anthony Davis added 18 points and seven rebounds for the Lakers, who trailed by as many as 22 early on against the Clippers before rallying. However, they faded down the stretch.

“Well obviously, we didn’t play to what we wanted to do in the first quarter, and they came out like gangbusters and hit us in the mouth,” James said. “We were able to withstand that, get back into the game and make a game out of it.

“They did a good job of closing the third quarter out and kind of spreading that lead and we weren’t able to get back into the game after that but it’s game one. It’s the first test for us.”

Doncic and the Mavericks also failed their season-opening test Wednesday in a 106-102 loss at the Phoenix Suns. Doncic had 32 points on 11-of-26 shooting, missing all six of his 3-point attempts, with eight rebounds and five assists.

“He’s still getting his game legs under him,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said, according to the club’s website. “That will get there. But he understands the game as well as any 21-year-old I’ve ever been around. He’ll make the adjustments that are necessary.”

Josh Richardson, who the Mavericks acquired in an offseason trade for Seth Curry and a second-round pick, contributed 12 points and seven boards against the Suns. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jalen Brunson also scored 12.

Carlisle said the Mavericks will need a better effort to beat the Lakers.

“We got to look at this and really study ourselves and see the things we need to clean up,” Carlisle said, according to the team’s website. “And then we’re going to have to do a study on the Lakers, figure out what the best matchups and coverages are going to be for us defensively. Look, that’s the world champs. We’re obviously going to have to play a high-level game.”

Dallas will be without center-forward Kristaps Porzingis, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery and isn’t expected back until January.

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LA LAKERS vs PHOENIX
When: 9:00 PM  ET, Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS Arizona
LINE: 2.5
PREDICTION: Lakers 112, Suns 111

Oddsmakers currently have the PHOENIX listed as 2.5 point favorites versus the LA LAKERS, while the game’s total is sitting at 219.

The Los Angeles Lakers saw their seven-game winning streak snapped and now look to get back on the winning side of the ledger when they visit the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The Lakers were outclassed Sunday by a Toronto team missing point guard Kyle Lowry (thumb) and forward Serge Ibaka (ankle) while succumbing at home 113-104 to the Raptors.

Forwards Anthony Davis (27 points) and LeBron James (13 points, 15 assists, 13 rebounds) weren’t able to prevent Los Angeles’ first loss since its season opener as short-handed Toronto overwhelmed the club 61-44 in the second half. “We’re not a complacent team, we’re kind of even keel,” James told reporters afterward. “Obviously, we hate to lose but they were the better team and we just move on to the next one. We’ll see (Monday) how we can get better in the film session. There are still ways for us to be better and we know that.” The Suns are 2-1 on a six-game homestand and rolled to a convincing 138-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday as the home fans serenaded star shooting guard Devin Booker (27 points) with MVP chants. “It is nice to hear,” Booker told reporters afterward. “I am more excited about the fans having something to cheer for, us playing winning basketball and competitive basketball every night. That has been the fun part.”

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS Arizona

ABOUT THE LAKERS (7-2): Los Angeles was just 10-of-30 from 3-point range while scoring fewer than 105 points for the fifth time in nine games and Davis noted that the lack of punch is becoming a problem. “We’ve got to get our offense clicking,” Davis told reporters. “We’ve got to be able to score a little bit more, just for nights when our defense might not be there or they are making tough shots.” James (5-of-15) and swingman Danny Green (0-for-5 while going scoreless) were the biggest culprits against the Raptors, who also forced Davis into five of the club’s 12 turnovers.

ABOUT THE SUNS (6-3): Phoenix racked up 37 assists against just seven turnovers while recording a season high for points and 3-pointers (19) in the win over Brooklyn and point guard Ricky Rubio fueled the onslaught with season bests of 22 points and 12 assists and no turnovers. “We moved the ball. We played super unselfish, that is super fun to play,” said Rubio, who joined the team as a free agent and is providing a ball-handling presence the Suns have lacked in recent seasons. Rubio has 10 or more assists in three of his eight appearances while Booker went 4-for-5 from 3-point range.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Lakers went 3-1 against the Suns last season.

2. Phoenix SF Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 18 points against the Nets and has reached double digits in all nine games.

3. Los Angeles PG Rajon Rondo (calf) is questionable to make his season debut.

PREDICTION: Lakers 112, Suns 111

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MIAMI HEAT vs LA LAKERS
When: 10:30 PM  ET, Monday, December 10, 2018
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

TV: 10:35 PM
LINE: -6.5
PREDICTION: LA LAKERS , MIAMI

Oddsmakers currently have the LA LAKERS listed as -6.5 point favorites versus the MIAMI, while the game’s total is sitting at 218.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade won a pair of championships together as teammates and will likely be taking the court together in an NBA game for the final time when James and the Los Angeles Lakers host Wade and the Miami Heat on Monday. Wade is expected to retire after the season but is still putting up throwback performances from time to time.

“It’s bitter, and it’s sweet,” James told reporters of facing Wade for the final time. “It’s sweet and sour. The sweet part about it is I’ve always loved being on the same floor with my brother. We struck up a relationship together at the combine in 2003, and it started from there. And the sour part about it is that this is our last time sharing the same court.” James and Wade entered in the same 2003 draft class and spent four seasons together in Miami and part of 2017-18 together in Cleveland. Wade is no longer a consistently explosive scorer like he was a few years ago but followed up a rough performance in the opener of the road trip at Phoenix on Friday by burying five 3-pointers en route to 25 points in a 121-98 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. “I’ll savor this. We both will,” Wade told reporters of matching up against James one more time. “We both had some amazing moments versus each other as competitors. But we obviously had some great moments as teammates. And we’re going to be friends forever, but this is the last time we play basketball versus each other. So, we’ll enjoy it and then we’ll savor it.”

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Sun (Miami), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE HEAT (11-14): Miami was down to eight healthy players after the first quarter at the Clippers on Saturday and joining Wade in stepping up was small forward Justise Winslow. The 22-year-old served as point guard for stretches with Goran Dragic (rest) and Josh Richardson (shoulder) sitting out and finished with 21 points, nine assists and six rebounds in the win. “I think I’m finally just catching a rhythm,” Winslow told reporters. “I’m healthy for the most part for a stretch of games and I’m just figuring it out. I’m still young. I’m still trying to figure out my niche in this league. But I think every game, I just get closer and closer to figuring that out.”

ABOUT THE LAKERS (16-10): Los Angeles bounced back from a loss at San Antonio by crushing the Memphis Grizzlies 111-88 to finish off the two-game road trip on Saturday. James nearly pulled off a triple-double with 20 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in the win while forward Kyle Kuzma knocked down four 3-pointers and finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists. “Just falling,” Kuzma told reporters of his shot. “I’m gonna shoot till I get hot, regardless of 0 for 8, 5 for 8, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m gonna keep shooting. It’s falling now, so that’s good.”

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Heat C Hassan Whiteside sat out due to the birth of a child on Saturday and is questionable.

2. Lakers SF Brandon Ingram (ankle) missed the last two games and is not expected to play on Monday.

3. The road team took the last three meetings, including a 113-97 Los Angeles win at Miami on Nov. 18 in which James scored 51 points.

PREDICTION: Lakers 120, Heat 113

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LA LAKERS vs SAN ANTONIO SPURS
When: 8:30 PM  ET, Friday, December 7, 2018
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas

TV: 8:35 PM
LINE: -1
PREDICTION: SAN ANTONIO , LA LAKERS

Oddsmakers currently have the SAN ANTONIO listed as -1 point favorites versus the LA LAKERS, while the game’s total is sitting at 226.

LeBron James looks to torture San Antonio for the second time in three nights when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Spurs on Friday to conclude a home-and-home set. James scored 20 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter on Wednesday to help the Lakers defeat the Spurs 121-113 to stretch their winning streak to four games.

Wednesday’s victory marked the first time Los Angeles defeated San Antonio in three chances this season and the win featured the third 40-point effort of the season for James, who is becoming mentioned as an early MVP candidate. “Well, he’s obviously in that top group,” Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters of James’ MVP case. “It’s early. We count on LeBron to do a lot for us and there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with the type of player he is. And I’ve been very impressed with how he handles it and how he continues to work and make winning the ultimate thing.” While the Lakers have won 13 of their past 17 games, San Antonio has dropped four of its last five and coach Gregg Popovich pointed at James as the reason for his team’s latest setback. “LeBron was the generator,” Popovich told reporters. “He made some great 3s, he drove it to the bucket, hit a lot of open people on the drive. He did it all. He got it done.”

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (San Antonio)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (15-9): Small forward Brandon Ingram sprained his left ankle in the first quarter of Wednesday’s game and didn’t travel with the club for a two-game trip to San Antonio and Memphis. Ingram, who averages 15.2 points, is slated to undergo an MRI exam to rule out serious damage and a timetable for his return will be determined after the results come back. “Just next-man-up mentality. He’s a big part of what we do,” Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma told reporters about the team replacing Ingram. “Big part offensively and defensively, so for us, it’s all about stepping up. Next man has to get in there.”

ABOUT THE SPURS (11-14): Veteran forward Rudy Gay exploded for 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting against the Lakers one night after going scoreless in 19 minutes in a loss to the Utah Jazz. It was the first 30-point effort for Gay in over 25 months, the last coming in the fifth game of the 2016-17 season when he scored 30 as a member of the Sacramento Kings. Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points on Wednesday for his second 30-point outing in three games and seventh of the season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. James is averaging 36.3 points, eight rebounds and eight assists against the Spurs this season.

2. San Antonio G Bryn Forbes is averaging six points on 8-of-23 shooting over the past three games.

3. Kuzma scored 22 points on Wednesday and has topped 20 in four of the past six games.

PREDICTION: Lakers 118, Spurs 113

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PHOENIX SUNS vs LA LAKERS
When: 3:30 PM  ET, Sunday, December 2, 2018
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

TV: 3:35 PM
LINE: -11
PREDICTION: LA LAKERS , PHOENIX

Oddsmakers currently have the LA LAKERS listed as -11 point favorites versus the PHOENIX, while the game’s total is sitting at 222.5.

The Los Angeles Lakers are winners of back-to-back games and can clinch a winning four-game homestand when they host the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The Lakers, who knocked off Indiana and Dallas in the last two games, are getting strong performances from the supporting cast around superstar LeBron James.

James recently acknowledged that he is struggling with when to dominate games and when to defer to his teammates and found the right balance on Friday, when he scored 28 points to lead six scorers in double figures. “We have the ability to be able to have multiple guys put the ball in the basket, but when it comes, it comes with our ball movement and the way we play with pace,” James told reporters. “That was the result of it tonight.” The Suns don’t have the same type of balance on offense and managed just 85 points with Devin Booker and TJ Warren sidelined in a loss to Orlando on Friday. Booker (foot) and Warren (ankle) average a combined 42.2 points and are both day-to-day.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE SUNS (4-18): Phoenix rookie center Deandre Ayton scored 19 points on 9-of-16 shooting in Friday’s setback and felt the team should have been able to win even with Booker and Warren out. “We’ve just got to find a way to finish these games,” Ayton told reporters. “…Everybody’s competing. Try to go back and look at some of the numbers. It’s kind of confusing because I’m like, I know everybody was playing hard today, but we still lose.” Ayton is averaging 16.5 points on 61.2 percent shooting and 10.2 rebounds.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (13-9): Kyle Kuzma is trying to find his role in James’ offense and looked comfortable on Friday, when he collected 15 points to go with season highs of 12 rebounds and six assists. Small forward Brandon Ingram is picking up his level of play as well and is averaging 17.6 points over the last five contests after springing for 19 in the win over the Mavericks. Kuzma and Ingram are also key parts of a defensive effort that held Dallas to 39.5 percent shooting.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lakers C Tyson Chandler, who was signed after being waived by Phoenix, recorded his first double-double since joining Los Angeles with 13 points and 12 rebounds on Friday.

2. Suns SG Jamal Crawford scored a season-high 18 points in 31 minutes off the bench on Friday.

3. James recorded 19 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds in a 131-113 win at Phoenix on Oct. 24.

PREDICTION: Lakers 113, Suns 97

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ATLANTA HAWKS vs LA LAKERS
When: 9:30 PM  ET, Sunday, November 11, 2018
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

TV: 9:35 PM
LINE: -11
PREDICTION: LA LAKERS , ATLANTA

Oddsmakers currently have the LA LAKERS listed as -11 point favorites versus the ATLANTA, while the game’s total is sitting at 238.

The Los Angeles Lakers will try a third time to record their first three-game winning streak in the LeBron James era when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. James recorded 25 points and seven rebounds to lead the Lakers to a 101-86 win at Sacramento on Saturday.

Los Angeles had five other players in double figures and allowed 42 second-half points to get to .500 for the first time since the season began. “Just keying in on principles. We had a (heck) of a game plan and we executed it,” James told Spectrum SportsNet in a postgame interview. “It’s up to us to go out there and execute, and we did that for 48 minutes.” The Hawks have dropped three in a row and seven of their last eight after suffering a 124-109 loss to Detroit on Friday to cap a two-game homestand. Opponents have scored at least 112 points in seven consecutive contests, and Atlanta entered Saturday having given up the second-most points per game in the league (119.3).

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (3-9): Atlanta never gave itself much of a chance against the Pistons after falling behind 40-20 through one quarter, prompting coach Lloyd Pierce to call out his starters. “It was right off the bat,” Pierce told reporters. “Slow start, sluggish. Our starting group, whether it’s after halftime or to start the game, just lacking in the effort department. We have to figure it out. Rough night.” The reserves combined for 63 points, led by Jeremy Lin’s team-high 19.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (6-6): Centers JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler combined for 13 points, 20 rebounds and three blocked shots while going 6-for-8 in the win over the Kings. “We’ve got a great one-two punch with our center position,” James added. “It starts with JaVale, he sets the tone, and then when Tyson comes in, he even raises the level. His extra possessions, his rebounding, his toughness defensively, his IQ out there on the floor only enhances our ball club.” Chandler has grabbed 20 boards in 46 minutes through his first two games since signing with the Lakers.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. James is 65 points away from passing Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) and moving into fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

2. Lin is averaging 15.2 points on 59.5 percent shooting in five games this month after averaging 5.9 on 34.2 percent in seven October contests.

3. The Lakers took both meetings last season while averaging 127.5 points.

PREDICTION: Lakers 112, Hawks 104

The post ATLANTA vs LA LAKERS 11/11/2018 Odds, Picks & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

LA LAKERS vs SACRAMENTO KINGS
When: 10:00 PM  ET, Saturday, November 10, 2018
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California

TV: 10:05 PM
LINE: 5.5
PREDICTION: SACRAMENTO , LA LAKERS

Oddsmakers currently have the SACRAMENTO listed as 5.5 point favorites versus the LA LAKERS, while the game’s total is sitting at 240.

The Los Angeles Lakers attempt to reach the .500 mark for the first time this season when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Los Angeles dropped its first three games of the season and five of its first seven but has won three of its last four entering the contest against the Kings.

Forward LeBron James has scored 24 or more points in nine of his first 11 games with the Lakers and narrowly missed a triple-double with 24 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in Wednesday’s 114-110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Power forward Kyle Kuzma has topped 20 points in each of the past two outings to raise his season average to 19.2 as he settles in as the second offensive option behind James. The Kings snapped a two-game slide with a 121-110 victory over the Timberwolves on Friday as center Willie Cauley-Stein scored 25 points. Sacramento’s offense has been clicking well by topping 100 points in all but one contest and Friday’s effort marked the fifth time the Kings have scored 120 or more.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), NBCS California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (5-6): Point guard Lonzo Ball departed Friday’s practice with a mildly sprained left ankle and his availability will be firmed up Saturday. “Hopefully it’s nothing serious,” Los Angeles coach Luke Walton told reporters. “We got him out of the end of practice. He went in and got some treatment, and I haven’t seen him yet since.” Ball is averaging nine points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his second season and veteran Rajon Rondo (averages of 10.6 points and seven assists) will start if he can’t play.

ABOUT THE KINGS (7-5): De’Aaron Fox recorded 16 points and 10 assists in the win over Minnesota and the point guard didn’t commit a turnover in 33 minutes.”My decision-making is getting better,” Fox told reporters after the victory. “Most of my turnovers come from passes. I was able to put the ball on the money. It was a great game.” Fox got the better of Ball in the Sweet 16 of the 2017 NCAA Tournament when he scored 39 points for Kentucky in a victory over Ball’s UCLA squad, and the two engaged in spirited matchups last season as NBA rookies.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split last season’s four meetings.

2. Cauley-Stein is averaging 24.5 points on 21-of-31 shooting over the past two games.

3. Los Angeles C JaVale McGee scored 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting against Minnesota and has reached double digits in nine of 11 games.

PREDICTION: Lakers 115, Kings 113

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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES vs LA LAKERS
When: 10:30 PM  ET, Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

TV: 10:35 PM
LINE:
PREDICTION: LA LAKERS , MINNESOTA

Oddsmakers currently have the LA LAKERS listed as 5.5 point favorites versus the MINNESOTA, while the game’s total is sitting at 236.5.

The Los Angeles Lakers are still trying to find their stride as they enter Wednesday’s home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Inconsistency plagued the team during the first 10 games of the LeBron James era and the Lakers will attempt to rebound from Sunday’s debacle against the Toronto Raptors.

Los Angeles trailed 41-17 after the first quarter on Sunday en route to succumbing 121-107 to the Raptors in a contest in which Toronto was missing star forward Kawhi Leonard. “They just came out and just hit us right in the mouth,” James told reporters. “It’s very, very hard to make a game out of that when you’re trying to expend so much energy trying to get back into it.” Minnesota is experiencing its own issues with three straight losses to begin a five-game road trip and the near-daily drama circulating around disgruntled shooting guard Jimmy Butler. “I just hoop,” Butler, who has requested a trade, told reporters. “I play basketball. I go out there, and I try to win home or away. I think that’s my job. I’m not worried about nothing — none of that. (Reporters) continue to ask those questions, but it’s not going to change how I go about the game. It’s not going to change how I interact with guys in this locker room. We’ll be just fine.”

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (4-7): Guard Derrick Rose recorded 21 points in Monday’s 120-109 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after missing most of the previous two games with an ankle injury. Rose has been surprisingly good this season while averaging 17.4 points, with his best outing being the career-high 50 he put up against the Utah Jazz on Oct. 31. Center Karl-Anthony Towns recovered from a slow start to post four double-doubles in the past five games and he is averaging 21.8 points and 12 rebounds during the stretch.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (4-6): Los Angeles has its own bouts of drama percolating as coach Luke Walton is coming under fire during the early stages of James’ tenure. Management usually understands patience is required to make so many new moving parts fit but president of basketball operations Magic Johnson’s proclamation that Walton’s job is safe included this disclaimer: “Unless something drastic happen.” The defense has been a huge problem — the Lakers allowed over 120 points in five of their six losses and stand 27th in scoring defense (120 per game) while the offense ranks third at 118.9.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Butler scored 32 points as the Timberwolves prevailed 124-120 on Oct. 29 for their fifth consecutive win over the Lakers.

2. Minnesota PG Jeff Teague (knee) is expected to miss his fifth straight game.

3. Los Angeles backup G Josh Hart is just 13-of-39 shooting over the past six contests.

PREDICTION: Lakers 117, Timberwolves 112

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TORONTO RAPTORS vs LA LAKERS
When: 9:30 PM  ET, Sunday, November 4, 2018
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

TV: 9:35 PM
LINE: 3
PREDICTION: LA LAKERS , TORONTO

Oddsmakers currently have the LA LAKERS listed as 3 point favorites versus the TORONTO, while the game’s total is sitting at 235.5.

The Los Angeles Lakers have seemingly responded to increased pressure from the front office and have a shot at their first three-game winning streak of the season when they host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. After president of basketball operations Magic Johnson put some heat on coach Luke Walton in a recent meeting, the Lakers eked out a one-point victory over Dallas at home and followed it up with a solid showing at Portland on Saturday.

Rajon Rondo had his best effort with Los Angeles by producing 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals off the bench while LeBron James finished with 28 points in Saturday’s 114-110 victory. “Our defense won it tonight,” Walton told reporters. “Defending with not falling. Our bigs were playing up. They were playing for each other. Rondo led the charge.” The Lakers’ chances at pulling to .500 for the first time would be a lot better if the Raptors are without star swingman Kawhi Leonard, who is dealing with a foot injury. The two-time All-Star is already planning to sit out one game of back-to-back sets and Toronto plays at Utah on Monday.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (8-1): Leonard had 19 points and Kyle Lowry added 11 points and 12 assists in Friday’s 107-98 victory at Phoenix to begin a four-game road trip. Toronto shot 50.6 percent from the floor while recording 11 steals and 10 blocks and holding an opponent to fewer than 100 points for the first time this season. “We want to be an aggressive, defense team, get hands on some balls, deflect, get out and transition, get out and get some 3s and layups,” Leonard told reporters after his team posted a 26-11 advantage in fast break points.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (4-5): Los Angeles got a big effort from center JaVale McGee (12 points, nine rebounds, six blocks) against Portland and will soon have more support underneath in the form of veteran Tyson Chandler. The 36-year-old, who averaged 9.1 rebounds in 25 minutes through 46 games with Phoenix last season, reportedly will sign with the team after clearing waivers on a contract buyout with the Suns. He will join a bench that provided 51 points on 21-of-32 shooting Saturday night.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lowry has at least 10 assists in a career-high seven straight games and leads the NBA with an average of 11.2.

2. Rondo made his only 3-point attempt at Portland and is 7-for-14 from beyond the arc on the season.

3. Toronto has won each of the last seven meetings.

PREDICTION: Raptors 113, Lakers 111

The post TORONTO vs LA LAKERS 11/4/2018 Odds, Picks & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

DALLAS MAVERICKS vs LA LAKERS
When: 10:30 PM  ET, Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

TV: 10:35 PM
LINE: -7
PREDICTION: LA LAKERS , DALLAS

Oddsmakers currently have the LA LAKERS listed as -7 point favorites versus the DALLAS, while the game’s total is sitting at 234.

LeBron James is getting tired of losing games and he hopes the Los Angeles Lakers can begin a turnaround when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. The James era started with five setbacks in seven games and three of the losses were by four or fewer points.

James had 29 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in Monday’s 124-120 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves but shaky defense and 18 turnovers derailed the Lakers’ hopes. “We’ve got to get better. We know that,” James told reporters. “We talk about patience, but we can’t have reoccurrence of doing the same things over and over and over again and expecting a different result. That’s insanity.” The Mavericks are also struggling with four consecutive defeats and they committed a season-worst 23 turnovers in Monday’s 113-108 overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs. “When you go and play against a team like the Lakers, who is a fast breaking team who likes to get out in transition, we can’t have 23 turnovers again,” forward Harrison Barnes told reporters. “I’m glad the way we competed. It’s unfortunate we lost it right at the end.”

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (2-5): Rookie forward Luka Doncic was superb in the loss to the Spurs with 31 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range. The No. 3 overall pick played 40 minutes in the contest and also had eight rebounds and four assists, and the 19-year-old is highly anticipating the game against the Lakers. “I’m going to play against my idol,” the native of Slovenia told reporters, speaking of James. “I can’t wait for that game.”

ABOUT THE LAKERS (2-5): Point guard Lonzo Ball strung together back-to-back lackluster outings in which he averaged five points, two assists and 1.5 rebounds while making 4-of-14 shots. Ball, who is currently starting ahead of veteran Rajon Rondo, said he needs to be more engaged and said he just isn’t doing his job, something coach Luke Walton doesn’t dispute. “There’s different techniques, and we try them all,” Walton told reporters. “Whether it’s being hard on him, encouraging him, running more plays for him. We see it. It’s just something where he’s a young point guard and we will continue to monitor and work on with him.”

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Lakers went 3-1 against the Mavericks last season after Dallas won the previous 14 meetings.

2. Los Angeles SF Brandon Ingram scored a season-best 24 points against Minnesota in his return from a four-game suspension.

3. Dallas backup PG Devin Harris (hamstring) is expected to miss his seventh straight game.

PREDICTION: Lakers 118, Mavericks 112

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