Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers, Lakers -12.5, total is 206

As my day starts to shape up I am already in my head planning a nap at some point so I can stay up late to see the Raps take on the best team in the whole NBA. You see, I am in the Atlantic time zone and you have to tack on an hour to the eastern start time. All this week will be full of late nights to hopefully watch the Raptors win one of three. That is all I am asking. Somehow win one please.

Tonight feels like I will forcing myself to stay up to watch a killing. At the very least I get to see what a real basketball team looks like as well as all the celebs they show. Hmmm do celebrities show up to see the Raps? We will see.

If there is no JO on the floor, the combo of Gasol and Bynum will be too much for Bosh to handle even with the season he is having. Hopefully Kobe Bryant gets stuck in an elevator (like Bosh did on Friday) and misses the game altogether. Shock the world guys and hand the Lakers their second loss. Now that would be an amazing early Christmas present.

Here is everything you need to know for tonight’s game.

The goods

  • The Lakers look to win their seventh straight home game against the Raptors when the teams meet tonight.
  • Kobe Bryant has had little trouble at home against Toronto (8-7) in his career, helping the Lakers win nine of 10 games.
  • Bryant has scored at least 31 points in each of his last four games versus the Raptors at Staples Center, including the second-highest point total in NBA history with 81 in a 122-104 win on Jan. 22, 2006.
  • His success has helped Los Angeles win six straight home games over Toronto since an 89-86 loss on Dec. 28, 2001. The Lakers are averaging 110.2 points during that run.
  • Los Angeles went 2-0 against Toronto last season, averaging 119.0 points while shooting 54.6 percent from the field and 45.9 percent from 3-point range.
  • Jermaine O’Neal said he expects to play.
  • One of Toronto’s strengths is its free-throw shooting, making an NBA-best 83.9 percent of its chances. The Raptors, though, may not get many opportunities at the line against the Lakers, who don’t sent their opponents there too often.
  • Bosh is averaging 33.8 points in his last four games, but has been held to 14.8 in four career road games versus the Lakers.

For bettors

  • Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.
  • Over is 4-0 in Lakers last 4 Sunday games.
  • Over is 5-0 in Lakers last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
  • Over is 7-1 in Lakers last 8 home games.
  • Over is 5-1 in Lakers last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
  • Over is 5-1 in Lakers last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
  • Over is 5-1 in Lakers last 6 games following a ATS loss.
  • Road team is 4-1-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

Prediction

Just like last Sunday against the Celtics, this one has all of the makings of a nightmare. If the Raps don’t bring a fire early and catch the Lakers napping, this one will be a blowout. I am calling for a 105-90 Lakers win.

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