The Los Angeles Lakers head to Canada for a clash against the Toronto Raptors tonight.Both teams have been playing well over the last few weeks, but will be missing key players tonight. That’s why my Lakers vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks are backing L.A. center Deandre Ayton to have a big night. Lakers vs Raptors predictionLakers vs Raptors best bet: Deandre Ayton Over 15.5 points (-115)The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a loss to Phoenix on Monday, but had gone 7-0 straight up and 5-2 against the spread in their previous seven before that. That said, they won’t have Luka Doncic in their lineup tonight due to the birth of his child. Doncic averages 35.3 points and 8.9 assists, but also takes a whopping 22.9 FGA per game. Without the superstar, plenty of shots will go around for his teammates. One of those teammates is Deandre Ayton, who averages 15.8 PPG and has dropped 20+ in four of his last seven. He’ll be facing a Toronto Raptors squad that should be vulnerable inside. The Raps will be resting center Jakob Poeltl on the front end of a back-to-back. Instead, they’ll platoon 6-foot-9 Sandro Mamukelashvili and 6-foot-7 rookie Collin Murray-Boyles at center. That duo isn’t big or skilled enough to handle Ayton. Ayton has a field-goal percentage of 71.2%, which is the seventh-highest number in NBA history. With Doncic out, his shot volume should rise, helping him fly over this number.MORE NBA FREE PICKSLakers vs Raptors same-game parlay The non-correlated multiplier for betting the Over on Ayton’s points while backing Toronto and the Under is tough to turn down.The Raptors are 14-3 in their last 17 games, with all three losses coming on the road. While the absence of R.J. Barrett and Poeltl hurts, the Lakers have an even bigger void in their lineup without Doncic. Especially since Father Time has finally caught up with a 40-year-old LeBron James. Barrett (19.4 ppg) has been sidelined since November 23 with a knee injury. Since losing Barrett, the Raps are just 29th in the league in offensive rating while ranking 20th in pace. The Under is 6-1 in Toronto’s last seven games, and with Doncic and Poeltl also absent tonight, I like it to cash again.Lakers vs Raptors SGPDeandre Ayton Over 15.5 pointsRaptors moneylineUnder 229Our “from downtown” SGP: Quickley and to the pointImmanuel Quickley is averaging 4.6 rebounds per game and has snagged 5+ boards in six of his last nine contests.Lakers vs Raptors SGPDeandre Ayton Over 15.5 pointsRaptors moneylineUnder 229Immanuel Quickley Over 4.5 reboundsLakers vs Raptors oddsSpread: Lakers +2.5 | Raptors -2.5Moneyline: Lakers +120 | Raptors -140Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5Lakers vs Raptors betting trend to knowThe Under is 6-1 in Toronto’s last seven games. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Raptors.How to watch Lakers vs RaptorsLocationScotiabank Arena, Toronto, ONDateThursday, December 4, 2025Tip-off7:30 p.m. ETTVSpectrum SportsNet, SportsnetLakers vs Raptors latest injuriesNot intended for use in MA.Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here