There’s nothing like a professional basketball game in Tampa Bay, Florida. That’s the unlikely place where the Lakers will be playing tonight as they visit the Toronto Raptors in their COVID-19-home-away-from-home.
The Raptors come into this one 3-11 (following an exciting game-winning three last night from Gary Trent Jr.) in games following the All-Star break, something that may stem from reasons all surrounding their star Kyle Lowry. He’s missed some games recently, while he was also a huge part of trade discussions right up until the deadline. He almost ended up on the Lakers (as well as the Heat and 76ers), with the deal falling through as the Lakers were not willing to part ways with Talen Horton-Tucker to complete the deal. He will reportedly miss tonight’s game, per Blake Murphy of The Athletic. Fred VanVleet will also be out after being a late scratch in last night’s game against the Wizards.
Lowry, VanVleet, Hood, McCaw, Watson, and Harris are all OUT tonight for the Raptors.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) April 6, 2021
The Lakers come into this one 3-5 after LeBron James went down with his high ankle sprain, most recently being blown out by the Clippers on Easter Sunday. In that span, they actually have the 3rd-best Defensive Rating in the NBA, with their infamously terrible three-point shooting giving them the 2nd-worst Offensive Rating in the NBA. Hopefully, the threes fall tonight, as the Lakers have a great opportunity to keep themselves afloat in the Western Conference standings with both Lowry and VanVleet out.
Injury news
Andre Drummond hasn’t played since his big toenail literally fell off against the Bucks last Wednesday. He and Wesley Matthews (missed Sunday’s game against the Clippers with a neck contusion/sprain) will come into this one questionable as well per Mike Trudell of the Lakers. However, much has been made about the fact that Drummond has had trouble even putting on his shoe with this injury. He seems to be doing that and more in the following Tweet that the Lakers posted yesterday, lending credit to the idea that he may suit up tonight.
Seize the Day pic.twitter.com/nqjqf97zgk
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 5, 2021
After missing last night’s game against the Wizards, Lowry and VanVleet will remain out tonight. Lowry is missing his fourth straight game as he’s dealing with a foot infection.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Jared Dudley will continue to be out.
Betting central
Pick-em; Over/under 209.5; Lakers moneyline -112 (Raptors moneyline -107)
I’m 2-0 now following the All-Star break, bringing my season total to 17-23-2.
With Lowry and VanVleet officially out, this game dropped from a spread of Raptors -2 to the ever-elusive pick-em game with no spread. On top of the Raptors trying to beat the Lakers without two of their best players, they will also be on the second night of a back-to-back.
With Lowry out still with his foot infection, give me the Lakers moneyline at the -112 odds. They’ll be looking to bounce back from the Clippers game, and they might feel even more pressure to win tonight with daunting games against the Heat and Nets around the corner.
All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook at 8:50 a.m. PST
Where to watch
It’ll be an early one. The game can be found on Spectrum SportsNet at 4:30 p.m. PST.
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