Toronto Raptors vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, 1/18/2026 Preview and Pick

Game: Toronto Raptors vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026

Location: crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA

TV: Spectrum Sportsnet

The Toronto Raptors (25-17) are headed to crypto.com Arena on Sunday where they will attempt to beat the Los Angeles Lakers (24-15).

The Raptors took the court against the Pacers and took home the win by a score of 115-101 in their last game. When discussing fouls, the Raptors walked away with 23 while the Pacers recorded 21 fouls. They also made 12 of their 42 attempts from 3-point range. Indiana ended up shooting 74.2% at the charity stripe by making 23 of 31 attempts. On top of that, Indiana totaled 46 rebounds (14 offensive, 32 defensive) and added 5 blocks. Indiana distributed 26 assists and had 6 steals for the matchup. Regarding defending, Toronto allowed the other team to go 38.4% from the floor on 33 out of 86 shooting. They also dished out 30 assists in this contest while forcing the opposition into 11 turnovers and having 4 steals. Regarding rebounding, they compiled a total of 49 with 11 of them being on the offensive end. At the free throw line, the Raptors made 17 of 26 tries for a rate of 65.4%. Toronto ended the game with a 49.4% field goal percentage (44 of 89) and converted 10 of their 28 shots from beyond the perimeter.

Brandon Ingram is a player who had an impact in this matchup. Ingram ended up shooting 52.2% from the field and distributed 4 assists. He was on the hardwood for 36 minutes and also pulled down 7 rebounds. He ended up walking away with 30 points on 12 out of 23 shooting.

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Toronto enters this contest with a mark of 25-17 on the season. They are averaging 113.9 points per outing (23rd in basketball) while going 47.1% from the floor. The Raptors are hitting 33.9% from downtown (484 of 1,429) and 77.4% from the free throw line. As a team, Toronto is grabbing 43.2 rebounds per contest and has earned 1,233 dimes on the campaign, which is 3rd in basketball in terms of passing the ball. They are turning it over 13.8 times per contest and as a squad they commit 21.4 fouls on a nightly basis.

On the defensive end, the Raptors are forcing their opponents into 15.8 turnovers every game and they draw 19.9 fouls. They give up 34.4% on 3-point shots and they rank 6th in the league in points per game allowed (112.1). The Raptors defense is allowing an opponent FG percentage of 46.1% (1,665 of 3,615) and they relinquish 43.8 rebounds per contest as a group. They are 5th in the league in giving up assists to their opponents with 1,024 surrendered on the year.

When they last stepped on the court, the Lakers took a loss by a final score of 135-117 when they played the Hornets. The Lakers were able to corral 23 defensive boards and 12 offensive boards totaling 35 in the game. They also turned the ball over 9 times, while getting 8 steals in this matchup. The Hornets were called for 21 fouls in the game which took the Lakers to the charity stripe for 23 shots. They were able to convert 17 of the free throw tries for a clip of 73.9%. In the matter of three-point shots, Los Angeles made 14 of 38 tries (36.8%). Overall, the Lakers shot 43 for 93 from the field which gave them a rate of 46.2%. The Lakers permitted the Hornets to convert 50 of 92 tries from the field which had them shooting 54.3% in the game. They wrapped up this game 46.5% from distance by hitting 20 out of 43 and finished the contest at 15 out of 16 at the free throw line (93.8%). Concerning rebounds, Los Angeles allowed Charlotte to grab 50 in total (14 offensive).

Luka Doncic was important for the Lakers in the game. He knocked down 15 of 26 in the game for a field goal percentage of 57.7%, and accounted for 3 rebounds. Doncic accumulated 39 points in his 36 minutes on the court and accounted for 4 dimes in this contest.

Los Angeles has a record of 24-15 for the season. The Lakers commit 19.6 fouls per contest and they shoot 77.8% from the charity stripe. They are getting an assist 24.9 times per contest (22nd in the league) and they turn it over 15.2 times per game. Los Angeles has totaled 4,543 points this season (116.5 per game) and they grab 41.3 boards per game. As an offensive unit, the Lakers are shooting 49.7% from the floor, which is 2nd in the NBA.

The Los Angeles defense concedes 37.3% on shots from behind the 3-point line (534 of 1,430) and opponents are converting on 79.4% of their shots from the charity stripe. They have given up 27.6 dimes and 40.5 boards per game, which is 25th and 3rd in the NBA. The Lakers defensively are ranked 18th in the league in PPG surrendered with 116.9. They have forced 14.9 TO's every game and allow teams to shoot 48.8% from the field (28th in the league).

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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