Game 51: 04/06/21 Lakers at Raptors GAME THREAD

[KobeMVP888]

(31-19) LAKERS AT RAPTORS (20-30)

Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 4:30 PM PDT
Amalie Arena, Tampa, FLA

Referees: Kevin Scott (#24), Brian Forte (#45), Brandon Schwab (#86)

Replay Center: Rodney Mott, Andy Nagy, Evan Scott

Line: Raptors -2.0
O/U: 210.5

National TV: NBA League Pass only
Local TV: Spectrum SportsNet



GAME PREVIEW: LAKERS AT RAPTORS: Can the Lakers stop their free fall in the standings?

by Christian Rivas, @RadRivas, silverscreenandroll.com

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors will face off for the first time this season, and despite of all of the noise that surrounded them in the days leading up to the NBA trade deadline, Tuesday’s matchup, for the most part, will just be another game for both teams. However, a play-in spot will be top-of-mind for both teams on Tuesday, and for vastly different reasons.

For the Raptors, a win over the Lakers would close the 1.5 gap between them and the No. 10 seed in the East, the Orlando Magic, who currently occupy the finally play-in spot in the conference. For the Lakers, a loss to the Raptors would drop them to the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference, which is dangerously close to the No. 7 seed, the Dallas Mavericks. Granted, there would still be two games between the Lakers and Mavericks even if the Lakers lost on Tuesday, but as we’ve seen over the last few weeks, that cushion can disappear in an instant.

It might be hyperbole to say that Tuesday’s game is a must-win for the Lakers, but just barely, because after their game against the 11th-seeded Raptors, Los Angeles will go onto face the No. 5 seed in the East, the Miami Heat, and the No. 2 seeded Brooklyn Nets. Oh, and did I mention that LeBron James and Anthony Davis aren’t expected to be available for either of those games? So, yeah: Tuesday’s game has some significance, even though it won’t be Kyle Lowry’s first game against his former team — and now I’m sad that the Lakers didn’t trade for Lowry again.

Notes and Updates

- The Lakers will be looking to get the ball moving against the Raptors on Tuesday after finishing their last game with a season-low 16 assists to go along with 18 turnovers.

- Anthony Davis and LeBron James won’t play on Tuesday, but they’ll be with the team for the duration of their five-game road trip.

- Andre Drummond (right big toe contusion) and Wesley Matthews (neck strain) are both questionable for the game.

https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/202 ... me-preview

[3Peatkb24]

Nice balance scoring tonight! Kuzma laid an egg but it didn't matter. The Lakers had 7 guys in double figures and THT pitched in 17. Pretty easy win tonight, Lakers now 32-19 on the season.

[lakerevolution]

The Trez ejection was ludicrous - as was our 21 turnovers to their 12 - but our bucket list was tremendous and I surmise that the cellular regenetive activity of both LeBron and his Space Jammer Unibrow will uptick in the wake of such a showing. No matter what happens this Spring and early Summer, our squad has shown its resilience.

The Lakers are 4-5 since LeBron James went out with a sprained ankle, and 11-12 without Anthony Davis (calf strain). ... The Lakers had lost 11 straight to the Raptors.

Unable to discuss the impending signing of G Ben McLemore before the game, Vogel said: "If we were going to add a player, we would want to add someone with the skill set we need." After the game, Vogel said: "Instantly it elevates our ability to knock down 3s."