The defending champions Toronto Raptors resume their campaign against the red-hot Lakers. Here we look at the match preview and where you can watch the game.
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The Los Angeles Lakers will take the court tonight knowing that one more victory would guarantee them the top seed in the West.
They defeated the Clippers after LeBron James came up clutch during the closing moments of the game. He took on the Clippers defense and then played a brilliant defensive sequence to deny both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
The Raptors on the other hand currently occupy the second seed in the East. The defending champions will look to resume with a win against one of the best teams in the league.
It will interesting to watch the Raptors play as several stars have looked rusty in their scrimmage games. However, this would eb their first game of the restart and both Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry would want to make a statement of intent.
Superstar LeBron James was having a nightmare of a game before he unlocked his playoff-mode to lead the Lakers to victory after scoring the game winning shot.
Where to watch Lakers vs Raptors on TV and Online?
Fans across the globe can watch all the games on NBA TV. NBA TV can be accessed via the official NBA website and mobile application.
The NBA TV can be accessed through a NBA League Pass. Certain free trails are available for the league pass depending on your country.
Team Preview – Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers would have a mixed reaction after their victory against Clippers. All-star Anthony Davis carried the bulk of offense on his wide shoulders with 34 points and 8 rebounds. The former Pelicans star also scored back-to-back threes at a certain point in the game.
Meanwhile, head coach Frank Vogel would be happy by performances of some of his bench players. Kyle Kuzma was the joint-second highest scorer for the Lakers and looked defensively sharp when he guarded Kawhi.
Alex Caruso was brilliant on both ends of the court, showing what he is capable of in the absence of Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo. Dion Waiters put up 11 minutes and would be crucial in the non-LeBron minutes for the Lakers.
However, Danny Green, Dwight Howard and JR Smith looked a little rusty against the Clippers and would hope to regain their scoring touch.
Lakers will also be hoping that LeBron shakes off the rust and gets back to his scoring best against the Raptors.
The Raptors will surely test the perimeter defense of the Lakers and the likes of Caldwell-Pope, Caruso and Kuzma will certainly be tested tonight.
Expected starting line-up: LeBron James, Danny Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee
Team Preview – Toronto Raptors
Head coach Nick Nurse deserves credit for the team’s success so far this season. With reigining finals MVP Kawhi Leonard leaving for the Clippers, Nick decided to make Pascal Siakam his leading man this season. Kyle Lowry has provided some brilliant support too, and in fact has almost been as good as Siakam, if not better.
The Raptors have looked great defensively and with potent offensive stars in Siakam and Lowry, they remain the favorites to land the second spot in the east. The franchise still doesn’t seem to have hype around them and they will get a chance to prove their worth against the western conference leaders tonight.
While the Raptors don’t have a superstar in their lineup, but their team bonding and sync will ensure that LeBron James and the Lakers don’t have an easy night tonight.
Expected starting line-up: Kyle Lowry, Fred Van Vleet, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol
With the league witnessing several close games since the restart, we could get another one with the Lakers and the Raptors. With LeBron and Davis leading the way for the Lakers, expect them to shut out the Raptors in a close contest.
