Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors Predictions, NBA Picks, Betting Tips 8/1/2020

Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors

Date: Saturday, August 1, 2020

Location: The Arena in Orlando, Florida

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 217

Alex Caruso and the Los Angeles Lakers (50-14, 1st in the Pacific Division) are headed to The Arena on Saturday where they'll meet the Toronto Raptors (46-18, 1st in the Atlantic Division). Toronto opens this matchup as 3.5-point dogs. The over/under is set at 217.

The Lakers are covering the spread 55.6% of the time, having gone 35-28-1 ATS. Toronto is covering 55.6% of the time, going 35-28-1 against the spread.

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

07/12/20 PG Rajon Rondo Thumb is out 6-8 weeks
06/28/20 SG Avery Bradley Personal is out for season

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

07/26/20 PG Fred VanVleet Knee left last game, is questionable Saturday vs LA Lakers

Player Spotlight

Alex Caruso comes into this contest averaging 5.5 points per game while playing 18.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 74%. Kyle Kuzma averages 12.5 points per game in 24.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 4.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

Serge Ibaka averages 16.0 points per game while playing 27.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 8.3 rebounds per game and has 1.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Fred VanVleet averages 17.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.8 rebounds per contest and 6.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 114.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.3 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 1st. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 18th in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 25.8 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 9th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 15.1 per game. The Lakers allow 106.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.2 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd and they give up 23.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 15.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 12th in the league with 113.0 points per game this year. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.5. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 6th in the NBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 45.2 boards per game, and 11th in assists per contest with 25.4. The Raptors are 18th in turnovers per game with 14.4. The Raptors surrender 106.5 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 25.6 assists allowed per contest and 24th with 46.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 29th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 105.6, and their offensive rating of 112.8 is ranked 3rd. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 5th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA. Los Angeles is 13th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 26th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 17th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 28th in the league. The Raptors are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.6, and their defensive rating of 105.2 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 8th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Lakers/Raptors NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles -3.5

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