by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Dec 03, 2025
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, December 4, 2025
Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Where to Watch: SPECSN, SN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Lakers -1.5, Raptors +1.5; Over/Under: 230.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Lakers -1.5, Raptors +1.5; Over/Under: 230.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Lakers -1.5, Raptors +1.5; Over/Under: 230.5 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Lakers: 15-5 (1st place, Pacific Division)
Toronto Raptors: 15-7 (1st place, Atlantic Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Lakers: 8-2 last 10
Toronto Raptors: 8-2 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors Preview and Analysis
The Lakers are entering this game with a 15-5 record overall this season and they are 8-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Phoenix Suns. Luka Dončić led the team in points in that game with 38 while Austin Reaves was next on the team with 16 points. Luka Dončić led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Luka Dončić led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 51.2% from the field, 39.4% from 3-point range, and 86.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 119.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 115.8 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 13-7 this season and their O/U record is 14-6.
The Raptors are entering this game with a 15-7 record overall this season and they are 8-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Portland Trail Blazers. Scottie Barnes led the team in points in that game with 28 while Immanuel Quickley was next on the team with 23 points. Immanuel Quickley led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, and Sandro Mamukelashvili each led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 53.3% from the field, 36.7% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 113.1 PPG against them. The Raptors have an ATS record of 10-12 this season and their O/U record is 9-13.
Lakers vs Raptors Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as a 1.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lakers have looked great in their games this season with their 15-5 record overall which has them right near the top of the West with one of the best records in the entire NBA. They have also been a great road team this year with their 8-2 road record. Meanwhile, the Raptors have looked really good in their games this season with their 15-7 record overall which has them right near the top of the East. They have looked great on their home court too with their 8-2 home record this year. The Raptors are off a tight win over the Trail Blazers in their last one and lately they haven't looked as good. They have been losing more games over the last weeks and even their wins have been in some really tight games against bad opponents. The Lakers are off a loss to the Suns in their last one, but they have been rolling in a lot of their games lately. They have one of the best records in the NBA at the moment and they have been doing it without LeBron in the lineup. Now LeBron is starting to come back so this team is only going to get better as he gets more involved, and Toronto is a city that LeBron has had a lot of success in throughout his career. Look for the Lakers to bounce back in this game while the Raptors are starting to cool off from their hot start to the season. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lakers to cover the spread in this game.
Lakers Raptors Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Thursday, December 4, 2025 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Lakers 113 Raptors 107.
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NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles Lakers: 18-10 ATS off a home loss. 9-5 ATS off a loss against a division rival. 29-14 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%). 24-9 OVER off an upset loss as a favorite.
Toronto Raptors: 23-30 ATS as a home underdog. 22-29 ATS versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game. 15-23 ATS when playing 8 or more games in 14 days. 5-2 OVER at home versus good foul drawing teams - attempting 27 free throws/game or more.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Lakers: M. Smart (PG) Day To Day - Back.
Toronto Raptors: R. Barrett (SF) Out - Knee.
Notable Quotes
"I communicated to him before LeBron came back that there were certain things that he needed to be able to do consistently to play before LeBron came back, after LeBron came back, and that there was potentially gonna be a numbers crunch because we probably were gonna play a nine-man rotation and that was just the reality. Having said that, it doesn’t mean that he’s not gonna be back in the rotation at some point, whether we’re healthy or whether we’re missing a couple guys. When you’re winning games, it’s hard to re-do the rotation mid-winning streak... I certainly have empathy for him and it’s not an easy situation to be in as a coach and certainly not a fun situation for him to be in as a player." - JJ Redick on Jarred Vanderbilt getting less playing time.
"I think a big part of that is the work that he's putting in, the dedication, studying the players, getting to know the league. It's Year 5 for him. He's continuing to improve in every single aspect.” - Darko Rajakovic on Scottie Barnes being named Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Luka Doncic
SG Austin Reaves
SF Rui Hachimura
PF LeBron James
C Deandre Ayton
Toronto Raptors
PG Immanuel Quickley
SG Brandon Ingram
SF Gradey Dick
PF Scottie Barnes
C Jakob Poeltl
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: Luka Doncic (35.3)
APG: Luka Doncic (8.9)
Reb/G: Luka Doncic (8.9)
Toronto Raptors
PPG: Brandon Ingram (21.5)
APG: Immanuel Quickley (6.4)
Reb/G: Jakob Poeltl (8.3)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (2nd season)
Toronto Raptors: Darko Rajakovic (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
